ISLAMABAD: Formal talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission have begun, with discussions on tax matters and the disclosure of assets held by government employees.
According to sources, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) briefed the IMF mission on customs and income tax matters on the first day of the discussions. The issue of declaring assets by government employees was also discussed.
The sources said the IMF mission was informed that Pakistan had enacted legislation concerning the assets of civil servants and introduced a new Section 15-A into the Civil Servants Act.
Under the new provision, the government would be able to regulate and monitor the financial conduct of government employees. Details of the assets of government officials would also be made available on a public website, the sources said.
Government officers from grades 17 to 22 would be required to disclose their assets under the new arrangements, according to the sources.
The IMF mission also held discussions with the Ministry of Finance, FBR, Establishment Division, and the governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab to review various aspects of the economy.
The sources said the formal negotiations would gain momentum after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb returns to Pakistan. He is currently in the United Kingdom accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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