Islamabad( The COW News Digital)The Government of Pakistan has raised serious reservations over several demands outlined by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding its recent “Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report.” Officials indicate that the government is considering a formal written challenge to the report before its official release.
Last week, the Ministry of Finance hosted a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to review the draft report and formulate Pakistan’s official response. The IMF report had recommended the establishment of a new authority to monitor assets of bureaucrats, a suggestion that has reportedly faced resistance from Pakistani authorities. The government argues that institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and other relevant agencies are already in place to handle such matters.
Officials emphasized that Pakistan is implementing “right-sizing” measures to limit the scope of government agencies, and under these circumstances, creating an additional authority is unnecessary. The IMF report also highlighted weaknesses in public finance management, tax administration, the Auditor General’s role, procurement processes, and enforcement of anti-money laundering regulations.
In addition to proposing a new authority, the IMF has called for stricter regulations on subsidiary grants to prevent their allocation without parliamentary approval. It has also recommended that Members of Parliament’s schemes be fully integrated into the budget process and that the Budget Strategy Paper be published in advance to ensure fiscal discipline and transparency.
Pakistan’s government has yet to approve the official publication of the IMF report. Sources indicate that Islamabad may request amendments to the report before it is released publicly to ensure that the final document accurately reflects the country’s governance and institutional capacities.
The IMF had also cited examples from other countries where similar authorities have been created, but Pakistan maintains that its existing framework is adequate and capable of addressing the issues raised. The government’s stance reflects an effort to assert national oversight over administrative and fiscal matters while engaging with international financial institutions.
As the IMF report draws attention, analysts suggest that Pakistan’s response could set a precedent for how international financial recommendations are managed domestically, balancing compliance with national interests. Observers note that the outcome will likely influence future interactions between Islamabad and the IMF on policy, governance, and financial accountability.
The debate over the report underscores ongoing discussions about transparency, accountability, and the modernization of Pakistan’s public financial management systems.
