ISLAMABAD: In the context of a forthcoming IMF program and upcoming budget for FY 2024-2035, economic minds on Tuesday supported economic stabilisation reforms, promotion of balanced recovery and inclusive growth without burdening the people. This was the crux of discussion amongst leading national and international policy experts who spoke at a high-level panel discussion on national economic reforms organised by UNDP, SDPI, and the World Bank as part of ‘Prosperity for Pakistan initiative’. Moderated by senior economic journalist, Khurram Hussain, the panel discussion featured Dr Shamshad Akhtar, former Caretaker Minister for Finance and Revenue; Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Administrator and Regional Director for Asia-Pacific; Tobias Akhtar Haque, Lead Country Economist and Acting Country Director, World Bank Pakistan and Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI. Dr Shamshad Akhtar highlighted the need for a whole-of-government approach for reforms. “Macroeconomic stability has to be our religion,” she argued. “We have to make sure that it is adequate to get us out of the low and volatile growth trap, and it should be re-enforced by bold structural reforms. The single most important obsession the country should have is revenue enhancement and export earnings.” UNDP Regional Director, Kanni Wignaraja highlighted the findings of UNDP’s 2023 Integrated SDG Insights Report for Pakistan showing that the country is on track to achieve only 35 out of 169 SDG targets. “The road to Agenda 2030 will be long and tough,” she said. FBR begins budget preparation exercise for FY2024-25 “Achieving an ambitious growth target will require steadfast political will, consistency in policy reforms, and innovative policy solutions with an eye toward enhancing productivity, revenue, and financing. Any country where half the population does not have the same opportunity cannot be a prosperous country,”…