The Pakistani government has pledged to discuss extending tax exemptions for the merged districts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) and Provincially Administered Tribal Areas (Pata) with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This assurance was given to representatives from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) following a meeting between government and opposition leaders. The tax exemptions, set to expire on June 30th, currently include income tax waivers on business profits and sales tax exemptions for retailers in these regions. PTI leaders raised concerns about the expiry during a National Assembly session, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate discussions. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb will lead the negotiations with the IMF, aiming to maintain the tax benefits for the economically challenged former tribal areas. The government hopes to secure an extension, acknowledging the regions’ ongoing recovery from conflict and displacement.