ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has initiated a Mission to Islamabad from September 30 to October 18, 2024, focused on discussions and consultations to enhance resource mobilization, reform state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and promote digital tax administration in Pakistan.
According to sources, the Mission aims to support the Resource Mobilization and Utilization Reform Program (DRM SP2) by:
- Reviewing progress and identifying the needs and scope for further reforms under the DRM program.
- Engaging in policy discussions with the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to address existing constraints and prioritize areas for technical assistance (TA) or policy-based lending (PBL).
For the proposed Digital Tax Administration Project, the Mission will conduct an in-depth assessment to determine project needs, including costs, timelines, and a detailed implementation plan for the next 3-5 years. These efforts will be based on diagnostic reports and recommendations currently being developed by the government.
Throughout the Mission, consultations will be held to collect and analyze key data necessary for the successful implementation of the DRM SP2, SOE reform, and digital tax administration initiatives. This process will involve collaboration with stakeholders, including government bodies, businesses, development partners, and ADB experts.
The Mission will also finalize a draft Back to Office Report (BToR) based on the discussions.
For the SOE Reform Program (SOE RBL), the Mission will:
- Review compliance with SOE Law and Policy.
- Evaluate pre-diagnostic assessments for four SOEs, including PESCO and MEPCO, which are targeted for corporatization and commercialization.
- Finalize the program’s results framework, including disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs) and program activities.
- Initiate technical and system assessments, along with the preparation of a risk mitigation framework.
- Conduct policy dialogues with the government on key findings from these activities.
The Mission team includes several key experts: Laisiasa Tora, Sana Masood, Yuji Miyaki, Farzana Noshab, Nasruminallah Mian, Zain Fawzi, and Catherine Debalucos. They will be joined by ADB consultants and other staff from the Pakistan Resident Mission (PRM).
International consultants such as Christopher Russell will assist in the SOE Act and Policy implementation, focusing on the Director Training Program, climate and gender-responsive initiatives, and the development of a transformation roadmap for SOEs.
Adnan Gilani will lead discussions on SOE fiscal risk management, with a focus on the power sector’s distribution companies. Natasha Jehangir, a national draftsperson, will contribute to consultations regarding the SOE Act and Policy and support the project’s outreach and communication efforts.
This mission underscores ADB’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s economic reforms and sustainable development goals.
