{
  "id": 11340224,
  "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-11340224",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-02T02:39:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "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, noting that the country avoided supply disruptions and did not impose an additional financial burden during the six months of the US-Iran conflict. However, the IMF has urged authorities to expedite efforts to address the growing gas sector circular debt and implement targeted subsidies for consumers below the poverty line. Discussions on shifting gas-sector subsidies from consumer tariffs to a BISP-based direct transfer system have revealed challenges related to data and ownership. As a result, the proposed uniform gas tariff based on the average prescribed price of around Rs1,700 per million British thermal units (mmBtu) seems premature. The Petroleum Division advocates for uniform gas rates to cover supply costs, reduce cross-subsidies, and curb the gas-sector debt, now estimated at around Rs3.6 trillion. However, a proposed increase in the petroleum levy to finance part of the gas-sector circular debt has not gained government support, and discussions with the IMF have not proceeded further. The IMF has also expressed concerns about the documentation of gas-meter ownership and premises, noting that many cases lack proper records. The power sector, despite its larger consumer base, has shown more advanced documentation compared to the gas sector.",
  "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."
}