Pakistan Shares NAB Chairmanship Action Plan with IMF Ahead of Review Mission

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has submitted a formal action plan to the International Monetary Fund addressing concerns over the appointment process for the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau, as Islamabad works to satisfy IMF conditions ahead of a critical programme review.
According to government sources, Pakistan has informed the IMF that the existing mechanism for appointing the NAB Chairman will be revisited and the matter will be formally placed before the federal cabinet for deliberation. The move is part of ongoing engagements between Islamabad and the Fund, in which the independence and transparency of accountability institutions has remained a key area of focus.
The development comes ahead of a significant milestone, as the IMF’s review mission is scheduled to visit Pakistan from February 25 to March 11, 2026. During this period, the mission is expected to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s economic reforms, fiscal targets, and institutional governance measures.
Analysts say the submission of the action plan signals the government’s commitment to institutional reform as a prerequisite for maintaining the IMF lending programme. However, opposition circles have raised concerns, characterising the move as undue external interference in the affairs of sovereign national institutions.
The outcome of the upcoming IMF review will be closely watched, as it is likely to determine the next tranche of financial assistance critical to Pakistan’s economic stabilisation efforts.