PESHAWAR: The Opposition alliance has called for an immediate investigation into the economic irregularities highlighted in the latest International Monetary Fund (IMF) report.
During a press conference, former Governor of Sindh Muhammad Zubair urged government representatives to clarify their stance on the IMF findings. He pointed out that more than 48 hours had passed since the report’s release, yet no official response had been issued to challenge its contents.
Zubair underscored that the IMF made it clear that the publication of the report was a condition for the disbursement of the next tranche of funds.
Teimur Saleem Jhagra added that the IMF report underscores the prevalence of corruption in Pakistan and notes that institutional performance is often compromised due to political pressure. He stressed the urgent need for robust accountability measures.
The report, which focuses on corruption and governance at the federal level, expresses concern over ongoing malpractices and calls for the immediate implementation of a 15-point reform agenda. It recommends the elimination of special privileges for key government institutions in awarding contracts, increased transparency in the decisions made by the Sindh Infrastructure Financing Company (SIFC), and enhanced parliamentary oversight over government financial powers.
Additionally, the report emphasizes the necessity for reforms in anti-corruption institutions, the timely publication of SIFC’s annual reports, and the introduction of an e-governance system for all government procurement within 12 months to promote transparency and accountability in policymaking and implementation.
The IMF also questioned SIFC’s powers, exemptions, and transparency, stressing that these reforms and timely reporting are critical for effective governance.
Former provincial minister and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, Taimur Saleem Jhagra, stated that the IMF report clearly indicates that corruption is a significant issue in Pakistan.
He stated that the report raises concerns about the integrity of the judges and judiciary staff and highlights ongoing issues related to governance and corruption. Taimur Jhagra clarified that this report is from November 2025 and is unrelated to the era of Imran Khan.
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