Govt, IMF agree on backup steps in review talks

The caretaker government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have reached a consensus on backup measures to activate by the year’s end if significant deviations from fiscal and monetary objectives threaten the broader aims of the ongoing $3 billion loan programme. Informed sources told Dawn that a visiting mission of the IMF and the Pakistani authorities would be concluding technical-level discussions on Friday that involve an exchange of the latest data, not only limited to the end-September quarterly performance, and queries and clarifications on all macroeconomic areas and their forward-looking outcomes. While formal policy-level talks are expected to begin on Monday, both sides agree on the future course of action, including expanding the scope of taxation on the retail sector and improving the targeting of real estate-based revenue collection in case of any shortfall. A fixed taxation scheme for retailers could be the first shot in the arm in case of a minor revenue gap, to be followed by real estate, through an ordinance with effect from Jan 1. Further clarity and specifics would emerge in policy discussions next week.