Pakistan Economy: Fiscal position deteriorates - By Foundation Research
Feb 10 2025
Foundation Securities
- As per the latest numbers released by Ministry of Finance, 2QFY25 fiscal deficit stood at 2.6% of GDP (Rs3.2tn) vs 1.4% of GDP (Rs1.4tn) in 2QFY24. To note, Gov’t has posted a primary surplus of Rs601bn (0.5% of GDP) in 2QFY25 compared to Rs1.4tn (1.3% of GDP) reported in the same period last year.
- Gov’t has comfortably met the IMF performance criteria of Rs2.9tn primary surplus in 1HFY25 (actual: Rs3.6tn) but we point that this was due to one-off FY24 SBP profit of Rs2.5tn. Whereas, Gov’t has missed the indicative target of Rs6.0tn FBR revenues by Rs384bn during 1H which might prove problematic in unlocking the next IMF tranche in mid-Mar’25. Nonetheless, provincial net tax revenues of Rs443bn exceeded the indicative target of Rs376bn.
- During 2QFY25, total revenues decreased 6% YoY on the back of 63% YoY fall in federal non-tax revenue and 26% YoY increase in FBR revenue. Comparatively, total expenditures increased 28% YoY as current expenditure for federal/provincial rose 24/16% YoY respectively. Whereas development spending rose 23% YoY as PSDP (federal) increased 23% YoY and PSDP (provincial) rose 29% YoY.