Lahore (HRNW)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the targeted petrol subsidy of Rs100 per litre for eligible low-income citizens was discussed during his meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and that the IMF raised no serious reservations about the programme.
Speaking after the meeting, the Prime Minister said he briefed Georgieva on the financial difficulties being faced by ordinary Pakistanis because of inflation and economic pressures. He said the government was providing the subsidy through what he described as a comprehensive and transparent mechanism.
The government’s fuel relief programme provides targeted support to eligible consumers, including users of motorcycles and vehicles up to 800cc. The programme was approved with a budget allocation of Rs75 billion, while the subsidy is calculated at Rs100 per litre for eligible beneficiaries.
Georgieva separately said on X after meeting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that they discussed Pakistan’s ongoing reforms. She said strong implementation had helped preserve stability, restore confidence, and regain access to global markets, adding that continued reforms could support economic growth and improve living standards.
The IMF has previously emphasized that any fuel relief measures should be targeted, temporary, and budget-neutral, reflecting the institution’s broader concerns over the fiscal cost of untargeted fuel subsidies.
The meeting between Shehbaz Sharif and Georgieva comes as Pakistan continues implementing economic reforms under its IMF programme while also dealing with elevated fuel prices and the economic effects of the regional energy crisis.
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