Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission has arrived in Islamabad to make its biannual review of the $7 billion bailout package deal of Pakistan. The visit is important as it evaluates the improvements made by Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, which was completed in July. The three-year assistance package is geared towards stabilizing the macroeconomic conditions of the country and facilitating sustainable growth. With six reviews to be undertaken during the agreement period, the findings of this mission will heavily influence the release of the next tranche of money.
Within this review period, the IMF delegation, headed by Nathan Porter, will hold long meetings with multiple Pakistani institutions, such as the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan. These sessions are critical for realizing the problems Pakistan is going through and assessing the government's adherence to the conditions laid out by the Fund. The group is likely to concentrate on key areas like budgetary policy, economic reforms, and measures for improving revenue collection, especially through raising the tax-to-GDP ratio.
One of the primary aims of this review is to tackle the increasing issues of Pakistan's economic stability. The salaried class has become an important source of income tax for the nation, standing third place after the petroleum and banking sectors. The IMF's approval of the subsequent tranche, estimated at approximately $1 billion, is subject to the successful negotiation of reforms that will promote fiscal discipline and strengthen the overall economic climate.
The talks will be held in two stages, with the initial stage focusing on technical talks and the second stage on policy-level talks. This systematic process is aimed at achieving a thorough grasp of the economic environment and suggesting implementable solutions. The talks are likely to go on until March 15, giving both parties sufficient time to resolve any pending issues and seal deals.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb has highlighted the significance of this mission, pointing out that the IMF team will assess the government's performance on key conditions required for obtaining additional financial support. The emphasis will also be on moving forward with reforms in state-owned enterprises and on strengthening the privatization agenda. These reforms are viewed as key steps towards a more robust and sustainable economic future for Pakistan.
As the review progresses, the consequences of the IMF's observations will be felt across Pakistan's economic terrain. If the Fund's endorsement is obtained, the salaried class, which has been particularly affected by economic woes, can look forward to relief. The results of this mission not only promise short-term financial assistance but also long-term structural changes that can lead the way towards a more stable and prosperous economic landscape in Pakistan.
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