Pakistan close to sign agreement with IMF, says Asad Umar

Peshawar: Finance Minister Asad Umar has confirmed that Pakistan is close to signing an agreement for economic assistance package with the International Monetary Fund.

Finance Minister was addressing a ceremony at Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Peshawar on Monday.

Asad Umar said this a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan held meeting with IMF chief on the sidelines of World Governments Summit in Abu Dhabi.

After getting assurances from Prime Minister Imran Khan for undertaking structural reforms, the IMF’s Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, reiterated the Fund’s readiness to support Pakistan. 

Asad Umar went on to say that IMF has shown flexibility on its position.

He said, “PTI government will simplify the tax procedure in order to widen the tax net.”

Asad Umar while underscoring the importance of increasing trade with neighboring countries said Pakistani products have a huge potential in Iran, Afghanistan and other countries of the region, Radio Pakistan reported.