FinMin unaware of IMF fuel subsidy objection

The IMF, in its October 7 press release announcing a staff-level agreement on the fourth review of the Extended Fund Facility and the third review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility for Pakistan, called for the fuel support scheme to be phased out promptly, citing its high cost and broad targeting.Under the heading "Prioritising Social Spending", the IMF stated that any future fuel support, should oil prices rise unexpectedly, should….

These included users of Qingqi rickshaws, other three-wheelers, motorcycles and cars with engines below 800cc.Assuming an average household size of five people, the minister said, the scheme's benefits could extend to around 50 million people.

He added that the programme would continue to support vulnerable and deserving segments of society.Aurangzeb also said Pakistan could not afford long marches and sit-ins if it wanted to sustain economic growth of 4% or above, adding that such disruptions caused daily losses of around Rs120 billion.The finance minister appreciated the organisers of Poultry Expo 2026 for bringing together a large number of local and foreign businesses.

He said the livestock sector accounted for 63% of agricultural GDP and had recorded fairly impressive growth.

However, despite Pakistan being the world's 11th largest poultry producer, its share in global poultry exports remained negligible.He said the poultry sector needed to improve its export potential by addressing logistical constraints, strengthening disease management and reducing input costs.Aurangzeb said the government had decided to establish a separate administrative vertical for livestock in view of the sector's importance.

The proposed arrangement would give the private sector greater autonomy in decision-making, while oversight would remain with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

He said the sector would enjoy greater operational freedom, drawing a comparison with the Export Development Fund, from which ministers and government functionaries had reportedly been removed to give the private sector greater control.When asked why the government was involving exporters and importers in security-related measures by using their containers as roadblocks, and whether this was fair to businesses, Aurangzeb questioned whether it was fair to attack the country's capital….

He also questioned whether such actions were permissible in a democracy.

FinMin unaware of IMF fuel subsidy objection Rameez Khan | Updated 7 minutes ago | Says targeted petroleum discounts will continue.