ISLAMABAD:

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday pressed Pakistan over the delay in settling more than Rs170 billion worth of court cases pending before the Constitutional Bench, while also questioning the authorities for missing last year's tax collection targets.

According to officials, the litigation in tax cases — often stemming from vague legal provisions, retrospective measures, or disputes over tax demands — continues to undermine the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) ability to meet its targets, many of which are built on anticipated recoveries from these pending cases.

On the first day of talks to finalise measures for approval of the second programme review and the release of a $1 billion loan tranche, the IMF team was briefed on fiscal developments, missed tax targ

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