IMF ‘dissatisfied’ with Ishaq Dar, seeks increase in petroleum levy

By Muhammad JuniadPublished On 05 Jan 2023

ISLAMABAD: ‘Dissatisfied’ with Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to jack up the levy on diesel.

The IMF has expressed ‘dissatisfaction’ over the policies of Ishaq Dar and presented more demands in front of Pakistan for the continuation of the current $7bn Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

Sources having knowledge of the issue said that the IMF has asked Pakistan to increase the levy on diesel in January and February after which the govt has decided not to provide ‘full’ relief of downing prices of diesel in the international market to the masses.

Sources further say that Pakistan is in a pact with the IMF for an increase of the Rs50 petroleum levy.

The finance ministry sources said the levy on petroleum will be increased by Rs20 until February 2023.