{"id":11611,"date":"2026-03-12T18:54:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=11611"},"modified":"2026-03-12T18:54:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:54:55","slug":"pakistan-imf-talks-conclude-without-staff-level-agreement-middle-east-tensions-impact-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/?p=11611","title":{"rendered":"Pakistan-IMF Talks Conclude Without Staff-Level Agreement; Middle East Tensions Impact Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"model-response-message-contentr_031a9f6f1aca8ede\" class=\"markdown markdown-main-panel enable-updated-hr-color\" dir=\"ltr\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-busy=\"false\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"1\"><b data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">ISLAMABAD (HRNW):<\/b> The latest round of negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded without reaching a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA). Despite what officials described as Pakistan&#8217;s &#8220;excellent performance&#8221; during the talks, the agreement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) remains pending.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"2\">The discussions, led by IMF Mission Chief Eva Petrova, took place via virtual platforms and in-person meetings in Karachi and Islamabad from February 25 to March 11, 2026. The IMF mission noted that while Pakistan has remained broadly on track with its commitments\u2014particularly in reducing the fiscal deficit and strengthening public finance\u2014external shocks have complicated the completion of the review.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"3\">Key points from the official communiqu\u00e9 include:<\/p>\n<ul data-path-to-node=\"4\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"4,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Geopolitical Impact:<\/b> The IMF emphasized that escalating tensions in the Middle East are significantly impacting Pakistan\u2019s economy, particularly affecting program targets due to rising global energy prices and supply chain disruptions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"4,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Monetary and Fiscal Policy:<\/b> There was a strong emphasis on maintaining a tight monetary policy to control inflation. Discussions also covered the need for energy sector reforms and improving the efficiency of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"4,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Climate and Social Protection:<\/b> Pakistan received positive feedback for its performance regarding climate change goals. The country is currently participating in the 28-month Resilience and Sustainability (RS) program. Negotiations also touched upon increasing expenditures for social protection (BISP), health, and education.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"4,3,0\"><b data-path-to-node=\"4,3,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Ongoing Dialogue:<\/b> Both parties agreed that economic consultations will continue over the coming days to address the gaps created by the volatile regional situation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"5\">The IMF highlighted that sustainable economic stability for Pakistan will require continued adherence to structural reforms, especially in the face of heightened global uncertainty.<\/p>\n<hr data-path-to-node=\"6\" \/>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"7\"><b data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\">Support Independent Journalism:<\/b> At HRNW, we are committed to bringing you the facts and holding the powerful accountable. Your contribution helps us continue our mission of providing transparent and fearless reporting. Support our work today at <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/hrnw.com\/support-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwj5pZaZgpuTAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQlwE\">hrnw.com\/support-us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"8\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_11611\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"11611\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path d=\"M1163 3073 c-36 -7 -73 -59 -73 -102 0 -56 133 -378 171 -413 34 -32 83 -37 129 -13 70 36 67 87 -16 290 -86 209 -89 214 -129 231 -35 14 -42 15 -82 7z\"\/><path d=\"M3689 3066 c-15 -9 -33 -30 -42 -48 -48 -103 -147 -355 -147 -375 0 -98 131 -148 192 -74 13 15 57 108 97 206 80 196 84 226 37 273 -30 30 -99 39 -137 18z\"\/><path d=\"M583 2784 c-38 -19 -67 -74 -58 -113 9 -42 211 -354 242 -373 16 -10 45 -18 66 -18 51 0 107 52 107 100 0 39 -1 41 -124 234 -80 126 -108 162 -133 173 -41 17 -61 16 -100 -3z\"\/><path d=\"M4250 2784 c-14 -9 -74 -91 -133 -183 -95 -150 -107 -173 -107 -213 0 -55 33 -94 87 -104 67 -13 90 8 211 198 130 202 137 225 78 284 -27 27 -42 34 -72 34 -22 0 -50 -8 -64 -16z\"\/><path d=\"M2275 2693 c-553 -48 -1095 -270 -1585 -649 -135 -104 -459 -423 -483 -476 -23 -49 -22 -139 2 -186 73 -142 361 -457 571 -626 285 -228 642 -407 990 -497 242 -63 336 -73 660 -74 310 0 370 5 595 52 535 111 1045 392 1455 803 122 121 250 273 275 326 19 41 19 137 0 174 -41 79 -309 363 -465 492 -447 370 -946 591 -1479 653 -113 14 -422 18 -536 8z m395 -428 c171 -34 330 -124 456 -258 112 -119 167 -219 211 -378 27 -96 24 -300 -5 -401 -72 -255 -236 -447 -474 -557 -132 -62 -201 -76 -368 -76 -167 0 -236 14 -368 76 -213 98 -373 271 -451 485 -162 444 86 934 547 1084 153 49 292 57 452 25z m909 -232 c222 -123 408 -262 593 -441 76 -74 138 -139 138 -144 0 -16 -233 -242 -330 -319 -155 -123 -309 -223 -461 -299 l-81 -41 32 46 c18 26 49 83 70 128 143 306 141 649 -6 957 -25 52 -61 116 -79 142 l-34 47 45 -20 c26 -10 76 -36 113 -56z m-2057 25 c-40 -58 -105 -190 -130 -263 -110 -324 -59 -707 132 -981 25 -35 42 -64 37 -64 -19 0 -241 119 -326 174 -188 122 -406 314 -532 468 l-58 71 108 103 c185 178 428 349 672 473 66 33 121 60 123 61 2 0 -10 -19 -26 -42z\"\/><path d=\"M2375 1950 c-198 -44 -350 -190 -395 -379 -18 -76 -8 -221 19 -290 114 -284 457 -406 731 -260 98 52 188 154 231 260 27 69 37 214 19 290 -38 163 -166 304 -326 360 -67 23 -215 33 -279 19z\"\/><\/g><\/svg><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Loading\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hrnww.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/page-views-count\/ajax-loader-2x.gif\" border=0 \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ISLAMABAD (HRNW): The latest round of negotiations between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded without reaching a Staff-Level Agreement (SLA). Despite what officials described as Pakistan&#8217;s &#8220;excellent performance&#8221; during the talks, the agreement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) remains pending. The discussions, led by IMF Mission Chief Eva Petrova, took place&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pvc_clear\"><\/div>\n<p id=\"pvc_stats_11611\" class=\"pvc_stats total_only  \" data-element-id=\"11611\" style=\"\"><i class=\"pvc-stats-icon medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.0\" viewBox=\"0 0 502 315\" preserveAspectRatio=\"xMidYMid meet\"><g transform=\"translate(0,332) scale(0.1,-0.1)\" fill=\"\" stroke=\"none\"><path d=\"M2394 3279 l-29 -30 -3 -207 c-2 -182 0 -211 15 -242 39 -76 157 -76 196 0 15 31 17 60 15 243 l-3 209 -33 29 c-26 23 -41 29 -80 29 -41 0 -53 -5 -78 -31z\"\/><path d=\"M3085 3251 c-45 -19 -58 -50 -96 -229 -47 -217 -49 -260 -13 -295 52 -53 146 -42 177 20 16 31 87 366 87 410 0 70 -86 122 -155 94z\"\/><path d=\"M1751 3234 c-13 -9 -29 -31 -37 -50 -12 -29 -10 -49 21 -204 19 -94 39 -189 45 -210 14 -50 54 -80 110 -80 34 0 48 6 76 34 21 21 34 44 34 59 0 14 -18 113 -40 219 -37 178 -43 195 -70 221 -36 32 -101 37 -139 11z\"\/><path 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