BANGKOK, Oct 12 — Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb met International Monetary Fund First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz in Bangkok on Monday, with talks focusing on Pakistan’s economic stability, progress under the IMF-supported programme, structural reforms and growing external risks.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the IMF.
Aurangzeb highlighted what he described as improving investor confidence, upgrades in Pakistan’s sovereign credit ratings and the country’s renewed access to international capital markets.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, tax reforms, privatisation and policies aimed at supporting sustainable economic growth.
Pakistan, IMF Welcome Progress on Economic Programme
According to the Ministry of Finance, both sides welcomed the staff-level agreement and acknowledged improvement in key economic indicators.
The discussions covered fiscal performance, foreign exchange reserves, inflation and stability in the external sector.
The meeting also reviewed progress on structural reforms being pursued under Pakistan’s IMF-supported economic programme.
The government has repeatedly identified tax reform, privatisation and tighter fiscal management as central to its broader effort to stabilise public finances and strengthen economic resilience.
Middle East Conflict and Energy Prices Discussed
Aurangzeb and Katz also discussed the impact of the Middle East conflict on global energy prices and inflation.
Higher energy costs remain an important external risk for Pakistan because of the country’s dependence on imported fuel and the potential impact of international price movements on domestic inflation and the external account.
The two sides also discussed how targeted relief could be provided to vulnerable segments of the population while remaining within available fiscal space.
Focus on Protecting Economic Stability
Pakistan and the IMF reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation and to safeguarding recent economic gains against external pressures.
The discussions came as Pakistan seeks to preserve macroeconomic stability while continuing reforms designed to improve revenue collection, strengthen public finances and create conditions for more sustainable growth.
The government is also working to rebuild investor confidence and deepen access to international financial markets while managing inflationary and external-sector pressures.
SEO + GEO Package
Slug
aurangzeb-imf-pakistan-reforms-economic-stability
Meta Description
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and IMF deputy chief Dan Katz reviewed Pakistan’s reforms, economic stability and rising external risks in Bangkok.
WordPress Tags
Muhammad Aurangzeb, IMF Pakistan, Dan Katz, Pakistan economy, IMF programme, economic reforms Pakistan, structural reforms, investor confidence, sovereign credit rating, foreign exchange reserves, inflation Pakistan, Middle East energy prices
Image Alt Text
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb meets IMF First Deputy Managing Director Dan Katz in Bangkok to discuss Pakistan’s economic reforms and stability.