News Desk |
The interim director of the International Monetary Fund, David Lipton, shared his diagnosis during his meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday, stating that Pakistan is in need of mobilizing taxation revenue to ensure sufficient funds to run its social and developmental welfare programs, alongside curbing its debt.
Lipton noted that he was “pleased” to meet with Prime Minister Khan and his delegation. He added, “We agreed to work together to advance the government’s ambitious reform program, especially the effort to mobilize revenues that will fund the much needed social and development spending.”
I was pleased to meet Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI of #Pakistan today. We agreed to work together to advance the government’s ambitious reform program, especially the effort to mobilize revenues that will fund much needed social and development spending.https://t.co/bZjRKRIoEr pic.twitter.com/Vq0TkduASE
— David Lipton (@DavidLipton) July 22, 2019
IMF Proposes Tax Revenue Generation
Interim Director of the IMF David Lipton and PM Khan discussed the ongoing economic changes in light of the implementation of the IMF’s diagnosis and the economic reforms it proposed to stabilize the economy, solidifying revenue generation and tax collection institution, ushering a balanced and sustainable economic growth.
Mr. David Lipton, Acting MD IMF called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC. Foreign Minister, Adviser to PM on Commerce and Adviser to PM on Finance were also present during the meeting.#PMIKVistingUS #PMIKinUS pic.twitter.com/TpPB44qaz4
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) July 21, 2019
Lipton noted that the International Monetary Fund and other international organizations are in close partnership with the PTI-led government to ensure smooth implementation of the IMF-proposed reforms.
The two leaders are likely to discuss matters pertaining to US-Pak partnership, bilateral ties, defense cooperation, regional peace and stability, and Trump’s main priority, the Afghan reconciliation process.
David Lipton, after his meeting with Premier Imran Khan, noted; “I was pleased to meet Prime Minister Khan of Pakistan today in Washington, DC. We discussed recent economic developments and the implementation of the authority’s economic reform program supported by the IMF. Their program aims to stabilize the economy, strengthen institutions, and thereby put Pakistan on a path of sustainable and balanced growth,”
Lipton added, “I highlighted the need to mobilize domestic tax revenue now and on into the future to provide reliability for needed social and development spending while placing debt on a firm downward trend.”
He concluded, “The IMF, together with other international partners, is working closely with the government of Pakistan to support the implementation of the authorities’ economic reform program.”
Meeting with President World Bank
Prime Minister Imran Khan also had a meeting with the President of the World Bank, David Malpass. Sharing his comments through his official Twitter handle, Malpass noted that the two leaders had a “constructive meeting”.
Read more: Pakistan, World Bank ink three loan agreement worth $918 million
Malpass stated, “Just concluded a constructive meeting with Pakistan PM Khan where we discussed his important ideas on transformational policies to accelerate equitable growth and job creation for Pakistanis.”
Just concluded constructive meeting with Pakistan PM Khan where we discussed his important ideas on transformational policies to accelerate equitable growth and job creation for Pakistanis. @pid_gov @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/epngEsOUQD
— David Malpass (@DavidRMalpass) July 21, 2019
Prime Minister Khan arrived in Washington on Sunday, commencing his 3-day official visit to Washington. On Monday, he is expected to engage in a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House. The two leaders are likely to discuss matters pertaining to US-Pak partnership, bilateral ties, defense cooperation, regional peace and stability, and Trump’s main priority, the Afghan reconciliation process.