Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed optimism that the recently reached Staff-Level Agreement (SLA) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be Pakistan’s final engagement with the lender. Speaking at the launch of the PM Digital Youth Hub, he emphasized the importance of financial independence, stating, “Through the IMF program, the country has achieved stability, but it should be kept in mind that this is a debt we must ultimately free ourselves from.”
The SLA outlines several economic reforms, including the introduction of a new carbon levy, a reduction in electricity tariffs, increased water pricing, and opening the automobile sector to global trade.
This sentiment aligns with previous statements by the Prime Minister, who has consistently voiced the aspiration for Pakistan to conclude its reliance on IMF programs.
