IMF Urges NAB, AML Reforms in Pakistan

Islamabad, August 16, 2025, 05:05 PM PKT — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has issued a stern directive, urging Pakistan to boost the operational effectiveness of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and strengthen anti-money laundering (AML) measures, as outlined in its draft Governance and Corruption Diagnostic (GCD) Assessment, per a news report by The News. However, the Pakistani government plans to challenge the findings, submitting formal objections before the final report’s release by late August 2025, arguing that identified shortcomings misrepresent ground realities, with detailed feedback on money laundering and counter-terrorism financing from a senior official.

The government pledges to enhance its institutional framework to combat corruption, fostering inclusive growth and a business-friendly environment, aligning with the IMF’s action plan and structural reforms due by October 2025. Efforts include improving NAB’s independence per a recent Supreme Court ruling for cases over PKR 500 million, strengthening coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and boosting transparency via digital asset declarations for BPS 17-22 officials, accessible publicly with data safeguards, led by the Establishment Division and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The “Banks’ Access to Asset Declarations for AML/CFT Purposes” initiative aids banks, while provinces, with FBR, will enforce similar regulations. Web context on IMF reforms shows past tensions, while posts found on X reflect skepticism—some urge action, others question intent. Critically, the narrative of “governance improvement” may mask political resistance—web data hints at implementation lags, and X sentiment suggests distrust in effective change, pointing to ongoing struggles.