18/12/2025
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant economic institutions to formulate a comprehensive post-IMF exit strategy as Pakistan moves forward under the current IMF programme. The prime minister has emphasized that this programme should be the last, urging policymakers to focus on long-term economic stability and self-reliance. The aim is to reduce Pakistan’s repeated dependence on external financial assistance and place the economy on a sustainable growth path.
The proposed strategy focuses on strengthening key economic fundamentals, including increasing exports, improving fiscal discipline, and building stronger foreign exchange reserves. Government officials believe that export-led growth, industrial expansion, and improved competitiveness are essential to addressing chronic balance-of-payments issues. Structural reforms in taxation, energy, governance, and public sector efficiency are also considered central pillars of the plan.
The prime minister has stressed the importance of attracting foreign direct investment, boosting remittances, and reducing reliance on imports through local production. Policymakers are also exploring long-term financing options and debt restructuring measures to ease future financial pressure. The overall goal is to ensure economic resilience so that Pakistan can withstand global shocks without resorting to emergency bailout programmes.
While challenges remain, the government views this initiative as a critical step toward economic sovereignty. Successful implementation of reforms, political continuity, and institutional discipline will be key in turning this vision into reality and breaking the cycle of IMF dependency once and for all.