<\/p>\n
\u2022 Apprehends rollback of commitments on gas, power subsidies, tax measures and trade tariffs
\u2022 Indicates willingness to support Pakistan in coordination with IMF
\u2022 Says broader, deeper reforms needed to support fiscal consolidation, increase investment<\/p>\n
ISLAMABAD: The World Bank fears that following the upcoming elections<\/a>, strong and organised vested interests may spur a number of potential reversals on critical policy reforms \u2014 committed to multilateral lenders \u2014 posing \u2018high\u2019 macroeconomic risks to Pakistan.<\/p>\n The possible reversals include the rationalisation of gas and electricity subsidies, lower trade tariffs and better property tax realisation.<\/p>\n \u201cStakeholder risks are high due to strong and organised vested interests, potentially advocating to reverse critical reforms, particularly trade tariff reforms, increases to property taxation and energy sector reforms,\u201d said the Wash\u00adington-based lending agency in an assessment of its recently approved<\/a> $350 million loan under second Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy (Rise-II).<\/p>\n The bank, however, expre\u00adssed willingness to provide further support in tandem with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under another medium-term loan programme to be signed by the newly elec\u00adted government, subject to the successful progression of the ongoing reform measures, for even deeper and broader reforms.<\/p>\n