The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has directed Pakistan’s provinces to collaborate with the federal government in implementing climate financing measures, as high-level negotiations entered their second day on Tuesday.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the IMF’s technical delegation met with the Ministry of Finance officials in Islamabad, where they reviewed Pakistan’s economic targets in response to climate challenges.
The sources in the finance ministry said the Pak-IMF talks also focused on green budgeting, financial tracking, and policy monitoring mechanisms.
During the discussions, IMF officials were briefed on the steps taken so far by both federal and provincial authorities regarding climate finance in Pakistan.
Following this, the IMF advised provincial governments to align their policies with the federal strategy for effective implementation.
Reports indicate that key aspects of the negotiations revolved around green budgeting, financial tracking, and monitoring mechanisms.
The sources said the IMF is closely examining how Pakistan integrates climate financing into its broader economic framework, ensuring that climate policies are aligned with global sustainability goals.
Yesterday, the IMF delegation had initiated discussions with provincial governments regarding climate change mitigation strategies.
The delegation held separate meetings with officials from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh, engaging representatives from the finance, climate change, and planning commissions of both provinces.
Talks focused on green budgeting, climate change tracking, and reporting mechanisms.
The IMF team is also scheduled to meet with representatives from Punjab and Balochistan to continue discussions on sustainable climate policies.
Pakistan anticipates receiving $1.5 billion in financial support to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
The ongoing negotiations aim to strengthen the country’s resilience against environmental challenges while ensuring effective utilisation of climate funds.
Reporter: Waqas Azeem