Pakistan and the IMF have begun key policy talks in Islamabad to finalize the 2025-26 federal budget. The discussions, running until May 23, aim to ensure the budget aligns with the IMF’s fiscal and reform goals under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). An IMF team arrived in Islamabad following earlier technical talks held online. The talks focus on revenue targets, spending controls, and financial projections as Pakistan faces growing economic and funding challenges.