IMF, Pakistan talks extended amid questions over Iran war impact

Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund will continue discussions over another round of funding from a $7 billion bailout program.

Published on: Mar 12, 2026, 10:01:49 IST

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Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund will continue discussions over another round of funding from a $7 billion bailout program aimed at restoring confidence in the country’s economy, amid questions on how the ongoing war in Iran may impact its eastern neighbor.

Pakistan and the IMF are discussing funding from a $7 billion bailout program to restore economic confidence, amidst concerns about the ongoing conflict in Iran affecting Pakistan. (REUTERS file photo for representation)

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The round of discussions on the third review of the so-called extended fund facility focused on fiscal policy and economic reforms under the program, according to a statement by the global lender.

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The IMF praised Pakistan’s leaders for “good progress in the implementation of their reform agenda,” however noted the cloud of uncertainty brought on by the nearby conflict, including on energy prices.

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“While considerable progress was made in the discussions, these will continue in the coming days, including to more fully assess the impact of recent global developments on Pakistan’s economy and the EFF-supported program,” Iva Petrova, who led the International Monetary Fund mission, said in a statement.

A staff-level agreement has yet to be announced, which is typically later approved by the IMF’s executive board, unlocking the next tranche of funding.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yamini C S
Yamini CS is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. She is part of the India News desk, where she works on a wide range of stories cutting across civic issues, city-based developments, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics, and international affairs that have an impact on India. Her role involves tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and on-ground sources, and presenting news in a clear, accessible format for a digital-first audience. A significant part of her work includes handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court verdicts, political developments, civic disruptions, protests, weather-related alerts, and unfolding national or international incidents. Through live coverage, she focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they evolve. Before moving to the broader India News desk, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru desk at Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances, and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her grounding in city reporting and sharpened her focus on citizen-centric journalism. She began her career as a correspondent with Reuters after completing a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continue to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading across genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which help her maintain balance in a fast-paced newsroom environment.Read More

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.