Pakistan was "well positioned" for the first review of its $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout programme, the finance minister told Reuters, as talks with the global lender began on Tuesday.

Pakistan is likely to pass the first review of its $7 billion loan program with the International Monetary Fund since it has made enough progress to raise revenue, according to officials and diplomats familiar with the matter.

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan was "well positioned" for the first review of its $7 billion International Monetary Fund bailout programme as talks with the global lender began on Tuesday, the country's finance minister told Reuters. Islamabad secured the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility last summer to help claw its way out of an economic crisis.