Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will address investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi on Thursday, with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad also expected to be present, according to officials and sources close to the finance minister.
Aurangzeb, who is returning from an overseas visit, is scheduled to hold a series of meetings in Karachi with business leaders and representatives of the business community. He is also expected to brief business leaders on his recent foreign visit and discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to sources close to the minister.
Aurangzeb is likely to visit the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry as part of his meetings with the business community.
The prime minister will separately address the inauguration ceremony of New Nazimabad through a video link, according to Arif Habib, a prominent Pakistani businessman and investor.
The IMF mission is currently in Pakistan for the fourth review of the ongoing Extended Fund Facility, and is expected to remain in the country until Oct. 8, the sources close to Aurangzeb said. The finance minister has engaged with them via video-link and would likely meet the mission in person later this week.
The sources said Pakistan expects to reach a staff-level agreement with the IMF in October, although the timing remains subject to the outcome of the ongoing review.
The IMF review is important for Pakistan as the government seeks to maintain progress under its economic reform program, strengthen external financing and support macroeconomic stability.