Sat Jul 19 06:40:30 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten news article as viewed from an Indian perspective:

**Summary:**

Pakistan has recorded a current account surplus of $2.1 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, a significant improvement from the previous year’s deficit. The surplus is attributed to strict import controls, increased remittances from expats, and boosted exports, particularly in textiles and IT. This positive development, touted as the highest in 22 years, coincides with a surge in the Pakistani stock market. While Prime Minister Sharif hails this as a sign of economic stability, the country remains under an IMF program requiring further reforms.

**News Article (Indian Perspective):**

**Pakistan Claims Economic Turnaround Amid Ongoing IMF Commitments**

*Islamabad, July 19, 2025* – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is touting a current account surplus of $2.1 billion for the fiscal year ending June 2025 as evidence of a recovering economy. This marks a notable shift from the $2.1 billion deficit recorded the previous year.

According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the surplus stems from a crackdown on luxury imports, a surge in remittances from overseas Pakistani workers (reportedly up 27% year-over-year), and increased exports, particularly in textiles and the burgeoning IT sector. Advisor to the Finance Minister Khurram Schehzad celebrated the surplus as the highest in 22 years. The Pakistani stock market (KSE-100) has also reportedly crossed 140,000 points.

While the Sharif government is eager to portray this as a success story, analysts in India remain cautiously optimistic. “While any sign of economic stability in Pakistan is welcome, it’s crucial to view these figures within the context of their ongoing IMF program,” commented leading economist Dr. Anya Sharma. “The country is still bound by stringent conditions, including privatization of state-owned enterprises and subsidy reductions, as part of its $7 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility. This might be a ‘sugar rush’ rather than a fundamental structural change.”

Furthermore, the long-term sustainability of relying on remittances and import restrictions is questioned. “Pakistan needs to focus on building a robust and diversified export base, rather than relying on short-term fixes,” Sharma added.

The news comes amid ongoing concerns regarding Pakistan’s ability to meet the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) requirements which impacts foreign investments to the country.

The international community will be closely watching whether Pakistan can maintain this positive trajectory while adhering to its IMF commitments and addressing the structural issues plaguing its economy.

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