ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s economy is set to strengthen in 2025 and in the years ahead, according to Mahir Binici, the International Monetary Fund’s Resident Representative for Pakistan. Speaking at a guest lecture organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Sunday, Binici said that despite exceptional global uncertainties, growth prospects for Pakistan and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region remain positive.
He cautioned, however, that rising trade tensions, geopolitical rifts, and weakening global cooperation could dampen the overall economic outlook.
Highlighting Pakistan’s progress under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), Binici noted that the country’s performance so far had been “strong,” with the successful completion of the first programme review by the IMF Executive Board in May this year marking a key milestone. He emphasised that structural reforms were vital for long-term economic stability, particularly those aimed at strengthening tax equity, improving the business climate, and fostering private-sector-led growth.
“Early policy measures have helped restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild investor confidence, despite persistent external challenges,” he said.
Binici also underlined Pakistan’s strides on the climate front under the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). He said the RSF-backed reforms focus on better public investment planning, efficient and sustainable water resource management, stronger institutional coordination for disaster preparedness and financing, and enhanced availability and transparency of climate data.
He stressed that these steps would not only boost Pakistan’s climate resilience but also unlock green investments and promote a more climate-conscious economic trajectory.
Earlier, SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri spoke on the importance of multilateral cooperation in Pakistan’s journey towards sustainable development. The lecture concluded with a discussion on the country’s fiscal and monetary frameworks, external buffers, and the critical role of international institutions in supporting reform agendas.
