Reforms inevitable for country to get rid of IMF: FinMin Aurangzeb

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated on Thursday that changes are necessary if the nation is to get free of the Washington-based lender, as the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif awaits the approval of the IMF Executive Board for a new rescue package.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) head office in Islamabad, Aurangzeb stated, “Reforms are essential to get rid of IMF […] the country will develop only through economic reforms.” He also mentioned that the private sector is being encouraged to play a role in the economy.
The finance minister’s comments coincide with the government and the IMF reaching an agreement last month on a $7 billion, 37-month rescue package. The lender’s executive board is anticipated to approve the agreement this month.