Former Minister Naveed Qamar Warns Pakistan of Renewed IMF Program Amid Election Concerns
Syed Naveed Qamar, former federal minister and chairman of the National Assembly standing committee on Finance, has warned that Pakistan may enter another International Monetary Fund (IMF) program after its current arrangement concludes in September 2027. Speaking at the SDPI 29th sustainable development conference, Qamar expressed concerns that the upcoming general elections, approximately 18 months after the current IMF program's expected end, could lead to increased government spending and a reversal of economic discipline. He emphasized that Pakistan faces potential renewed economic instability unless the government utilizes the remaining period of the IMF program to establish a sustainable growth framework and implement structural reforms. Qamar suggested that the country might transition directly from the existing arrangement into a new IMF program rather than achieving economic independence. He urged the government to leverage the current program to build institutional and policy frameworks for sust...
