The International Monetary Fund has told the government of Pakistan to meet tax collection targets for this year ‘at all costs’, sources said on Thursday.

Technical talks between Pakistan and the Fund’s delegation are still in progress where officials from the Federal Board of Revenue gave a briefing on Thursday.

Sources said that FBR officials shared a detailed tax collection plan with the Fund’s delegation. The IMF team will provide recommendations after the plan is reviewed.

IMF has asked the FBR to collect more taxes from the retail, agriculture and real estate sectors.

The government is considering a fixed tax on retailers but the Fund’s team is not willing to accept it, the sources said.

The Fund has also asked the government to provide a timeline to include agricultural income into the tax net.

However, the Fund’s main focus is on ensuring that tax targets are met at all costs and to take necessary steps in case of a shortfall.