Islamabad: A recent article in The Express Tribune has prompted a response from Pakistan’s Ministry of Finance, clarifying the nature and scope of the country’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The report, titled “Iqbal seeks role in IMF talks,” was published on September 22, 2026, and has been criticized for presenting misleading assertions that do not accurately reflect the facts or the institutional processes involved.

According to Press Information Department, the IMF program is a comprehensive government initiative, not exclusive to the Finance Division. The program includes contributions from various federal and provincial institutions, such as the Planning Commission, Ministry of Energy, and the State Bank of Pakistan. It is not confined to fiscal targets but encompasses structural reforms aimed at sustainable economic growth, social protection, and energy sector efficiency.

The Ministry of Finance further addressed claims about the Petroleum Levy (PDL) being the focal point of the IMF program, describing these assertions as misleading. The fiscal strategy, as outlined in the program, emphasizes broader revenue mobilization efforts beyond petroleum taxation, including strengthening the Federal Board of Revenue’s performance and expanding the tax base.

Clarifications were also made regarding the role of PDL in the nation’s economic landscape. The Ministry noted that attributing macroeconomic outcomes such as inflation and unemployment to a single fiscal instrument overlooks the complexity of the economic factors at play, including geopolitical situations and commodity prices.

The Ministry emphasized the importance of fiscal stabilization in the broader context of economic growth, highlighting efforts to rebuild reserves and reduce refinancing risks. Social protection measures, such as the Benazir Income Support Programme, have been integrated into the IMF program to provide targeted support to vulnerable households.

Lastly, the Ministry clarified that agricultural income taxation is a provincial responsibility, underscoring the need for cooperation between federal and provincial entities in implementing reforms. The Ministry reiterated its role in program coordination, while acknowledging the shared responsibilities across government levels.