IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to the UAE, offering support for Pakistan’s reform efforts under the ongoing IMF programme. In a statement on Wednesday, Georgieva expressed her encouragement, stating that she was “encouraged by their strong commitment to Pakistan’s IMF-supported reforms” and applauded the government’s decisive actions aimed at boosting growth and creating jobs for Pakistan’s young population.
This meeting comes as part of the IMF team’s visit to Pakistan to conduct a week-long review of the country’s judicial and regulatory systems under the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which focuses on addressing governance and corruption challenges. The IMF team will evaluate key sectors related to governance, as confirmed by the Ministry of Finance.
The meeting took place during the World Government Summit (WGS) 2025 in Dubai, where both the Prime Minister and IMF Chief discussed Pakistan’s economic stability, crediting the government’s comprehensive reform agenda. PM Sharif highlighted the progress made under the IMF programme, attributing economic growth to the bailout deal, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to implementing ongoing reforms in areas like taxation, energy sector efficiency, and private sector development.
Georgieva commended Pakistan’s efforts in implementing the IMF-supported programme, noting improvements in economic performance, including rising growth and declining inflation. She emphasized that Pakistan is on the path to economic recovery and reaffirmed the IMF’s continued support for the country’s reform agenda.
Prime Minister Sharif was in the UAE for a two-day visit alongside Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, invited by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to participate in the World Government Summit.
