Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday informed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials that the government was following the economic reforms agenda and “nearly all economic indicators were on track”.
“The first quarterly results of economic growth in Pakistan indicate that GDP had shown a growth of 5.0 per cent in the first quarter as compared to 2.9 per cent of the same period last year,” he said. Dar added that Pakistan Bureau of Statistics had decided that henceforth the National Account Base would be changed after every 10 years. “The next base year would be 2015 and other in 2025 which is a major advance in country statistical capability and determination to have accessibility of evolving economic conditions over a shorter period of time compared to annual accounts,” he said.
Dilating on the external front, the finance minister said that exports were showing positive result at 3.2 per cent over last year. The value added exports are taking place which will be further increased due to accessing GSP plus status, he added.
IMF mission chief Jeffery Franks appreciated the efforts of the government and said that macro-economic situation of Pakistan is favouarble. “The IMF views that the government of Pakistan is fully committed to the reform agenda,” he added.
