Pakistan discussed its $7 billion bailout reform agenda with the International Monetary Fund during an unscheduled staff visit last week, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Sunday, suggesting no new taxes are to be imposed.

The unusual visit from Nov 12 to Nov 15 discussed a $7-billion bailout within six weeks of its approval by the IMF board, but came too early for the first review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), due in the first quarter of 2025.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced that Pakistan discussed its $7 billion bailout reform agenda with the IMF, focused on taxation, energy sector, privatisation, and public finance, without imposing new taxes.

The International Monetary Fund's Pakistan mission chief Nathan Porter on Tuesday opened unusual talks with Pakistan over a $7 billion bailout approved by its board in September, the finance ministry and sources said.

Pakistan wraps up five-day talks with the IMF, reaffirming its commitment to the $7 billion bailout programme. Discussions focused on tax targets and fiscal reforms, with the IMF team planning a follow-up visit in early 2025 for the next tranche review.

The IMF has raised concerns over Pakistan's ability to meet the conditions of a USD 7 billion loan package, citing tax collection shortfalls and delays in securing foreign loans. Discrepancies in Punjab's new agriculture income tax legislation and violations of the National Fiscal Pact by Punjab and Sindh have also been flagged as major concerns.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday it held constructive talks with authorities in Pakistan on economic policy and reform efforts to reduce vulnerabilities during an unscheduled staff visit.

The IMF has raised concerns over Pakistan's struggle to meet the terms of its USD 7 billion loan package. Key issues include a tax revenue shortfall, delays in securing foreign loans, and discrepancies between provincial and federal tax laws,