IMF Staff Country Reports

This paper discusses First Post-Program Monitoring Discussions with Pakistan. Pakistan’s near-term outlook for economic growth is broadly favorable. Real GDP is expected to grow by 5.6 percent in FY2017/18, supported by improved power supply, investment related to the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor, strong consumption growth, and ongoing recovery in agriculture. Inflation has remained contained. However, continued erosion of macroeconomic resilience could put this outlook at risk. The FY2017/18 current account deficit could reach 4.8 percent of GDP, with gross international reserves further declining in a context of limited exchange rate flexibility.