ISLAMABAD: A key International Monetary Fund (IMF) official on Sunday hailed Pakistan`s `strong` economic reforms, carried out under the lender`s $7 billion loan programme.

Speaking at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), IMF Resident Representative for Pakistan Mahir Binici said: `Pakistan`s performance under the IMF`s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) has been strong so far,` adding that the successful completion of the first review by the IMF Executive Board in May was a key milestone.

Mr Binici called on Pakistan to bring structural reforms to get economic stability, encourage investment and strengthen tax equity `Structural reforms remain central to Pakistan`s long-term economic sustainability, particularly reforms that strengthen tax equity, improve the business climate, and encourage private-sector-led investment,` he said.

The IMF resident representative said early policy measures had helped restore macroeconomic stability and rebuild investor confidence, despite persistent external challenges.

He also spotlighted Pakistan`s progress on climate-related reforms under the IMF`s Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).

According to Binici, the RSF is designed to help countries like Pakistan bolster resilience to climate-related vulnerabilities and meet international climate commitments.

He said key areas of reform under the RSF included enhancing public investment planning, promoting efficient and sustainable use of water resources, improving institutional coordination for disaster preparedness and financing and expanding the availability and transparency of climaterelated data.

Binici stressed that `support through the RSF will not only strengthen Pakistan`s climate resilience but also help unlock green investments and foster a more climateconscious economic trajectory.

Addressing economists, researchers, and policy experts, Mahir Binici stated that growth across the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region, and Pakistan was expected to strengthen in 2025 and beyond.

However, he cautioned that `elevated trade tensions, geopolitical fragmentation, and weakening global cooperation continue to generate exceptional uncertainty and weigh on the global economic outlook,` underlining the urgent need for prudent and forwardlooking policy actions. Staff Reporter