Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said that Pakistan's macroeconomic indicators remained broadly on track despite the regional war and external pressures, and voiced hope that the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Executive Board would approve the next $1.2 billion loan tranche on Friday (today), The News reported.Aurangzeb made the remarks while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue at Parliament House.

The meeting was chaired by Syed Naveed Qamar.State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad also told the committee that the central bank had purchased $27 billion from the market over the past three years and made almost $5 billion in repayments last month, while expressing optimism that foreign exchange reserves would reach $17 billion by the end of June 2026.Aurangzeb briefed the committee in detail on financing the housing sector.

He was of the view that Pakistan would stick to the prudent fiscal policies, improve external account performance, and undertake structural reforms to achieve macroeconomic stability on a sustained basis and enhancing investor confidence. He briefed the committee on increased remittance inflows through Roshan Digital Accounts, improved access to international capital markets through Eurobond issuances and progress on the approval process for Panda Bonds in the coming days. 

The committee was informed that the IMF’s Executive Board was scheduled to meet on Friday (today) in Washington, DC, to consider approval for the next tranche worth $1.2 billion for Pakistan, expressing confidence that there would be no obstacle in securing approval of the upcoming tranche. Aurangzeb said exports had posted growth on both monthly and annual bases, according to Aurangzeb's statement while briefing the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue at the Parliament House.

Syed Naveed Qamar chaired the committee meeting. Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmed informed the committee that the central bank had purchased $27 billion from the market in the last three years and repaid almost $5 billion last month but hoped that the foreign exchange reserves would touch $17 billion mark by the end of June 2026. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)