{
  "id": 11339596,
  "title": "IMF praises oil crisis handling, urges gas sector reforms",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/imf-praises-oil-crisis-handling-urges-gas-sector-reforms-11339596",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:39:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn Business",
    "slug": "dawn-business",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2034157/imf-praises-oil-crisis-handling-urges-gas-sector-reforms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended Pakistan's management of the oil crisis during the six months of the US-Iran conflict, noting that the country managed to avoid supply disruptions and budgetary strain. However, the IMF has urged authorities to expedite efforts in resolving the rising gas sector circular debt and implementing targeted subsidies for consumers below the poverty line. Discussions have taken place on shifting gas-sector subsidies from consumer tariffs to BISP-based direct transfers, but challenges related to data and ownership have led to concerns that the sector is not yet ready for this approach. The Petroleum Division has advocated for uniform gas rates to cover supply costs, reduce cross-subsidies from the industrial sector, and lower debt. However, a proposal to increase the petroleum levy to finance part of the gas-sector circular debt has not been pursued due to opposition from relevant government forums. The IMF staff mission raised concerns about gas-meter ownership documentation, as well as the difficulties in identifying households below the poverty line based on meter data. The power sector has shown better documentation practices, and the IMF has acknowledged Pakistan's improved efficiency in power-sector bill recoveries and loss reduction. The IMF staff is still cautious about the effectiveness of current groundwork and plans to discuss practical measures for cash subsidies to poor power consumers with policymakers during upcoming discussions.",
  "summary": "• Seeks faster work on targeted gas subsidies, Rs3.6tr circular debt • Acknowledges power sector’s improvement in recoveries, loss reduction • Govt, lender to discuss direct cash support for deserving power consumers next week ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has appreciated Pakistan’s handling of the oil crisis without supply disruptions or an additional budgetary burden despite…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "IMF praises oil crisis handling, urges gas sector reforms",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/imf-praises-oil-crisis-handling-urges-gas-sector-reforms",
        "published": "2026-10-02T02:39:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}