Islamabad, November 30, 2025: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday confirmed that Pakistan has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), describing it as “a step in the right direction” for the country’s economic trajectory.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Aurangzeb said the economy is showing signs of improvement and the government will soon share details of progress achieved over the past four to six weeks. He emphasized that the finalized IMF agreement marks an important milestone, adding that climate financing remains vital for Pakistan’s long-term economic stability.
“We must keep the momentum going if we want consistent growth,” the minister said, noting that the government is committed to continuing structural reforms.
Aurangzeb reported a 5% increase in exports, calling it a positive indicator of recovery. He added that improvements in the manufacturing sector, along with a stabilized current account and payment system, will contribute to sustainable development.
The minister highlighted encouraging trends in the information technology sector, which he said is showing month-on-month growth. He added that remittances are also rising, though “nothing happens overnight,” and stressed that the government is carefully monitoring imports.
Aurangzeb said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had made it clear that the private sector will drive economic growth, with remittances for the current fiscal year expected to reach $41 billion.
He also announced that the Prime Minister has ordered the abolition of the Export Development Surcharge, and a formal summary has already been forwarded to the federal cabinet for approval. “We are listening to the private sector, and whenever a solid suggestion comes in, we act on it without delay,” he added.
The finance minister further revealed that Pakistan is considering the issuance of a Panda Bond to diversify financing avenues. He also confirmed that an important meeting on the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award is scheduled for next week.
Aurangzeb urged all stakeholders to advance the ‘Pakistan First’ agenda, stressing that structural reforms must progress alongside institutional reforms to secure sustainable economic growth.
