AFP, Washington :
Pakistan’s economy has gained momentum amid improved security and other policy moves, but the government needs to do more to head off growing risks, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.
An IMF team wrapped up a week-long visit in Islamabad to review the economy, and mission chief Harald Finger warned that discipline in government accounts to contain the deficit and allowing the currency to move more freely will be key.
“While the authorities have taken steps to address these challenges, greater efforts are required to prevent a further build-up of vulnerabilities and preserve Pakistan’s hard-won macroeconomic stability,” Finger said in a statement, noting that a surge of imports has drained the central bank’s reserves.
The fund now expects the country’s economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year, an improvement on the forecast released just two months ago, “supported by improved security conditions, energy supply, infrastructure investment and agriculture.”
That would be the fastest growth in a decade, coming as the country benefits from a wave of Chinese investment of nearly $50 billion in transportation and energy infrastructure.
Pakistan’s economy has gained momentum amid improved security and other policy moves, but the government needs to do more to head off growing risks, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.
An IMF team wrapped up a week-long visit in Islamabad to review the economy, and mission chief Harald Finger warned that discipline in government accounts to contain the deficit and allowing the currency to move more freely will be key.
“While the authorities have taken steps to address these challenges, greater efforts are required to prevent a further build-up of vulnerabilities and preserve Pakistan’s hard-won macroeconomic stability,” Finger said in a statement, noting that a surge of imports has drained the central bank’s reserves.
The fund now expects the country’s economy to grow by 5.6 percent this year, an improvement on the forecast released just two months ago, “supported by improved security conditions, energy supply, infrastructure investment and agriculture.”
That would be the fastest growth in a decade, coming as the country benefits from a wave of Chinese investment of nearly $50 billion in transportation and energy infrastructure.
