Pakistan has requested the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to delay a board meeting meant to consider the country's sixth review to the end of January, the finance ministry said.

The meeting was meant to take place this week on Jan. 12 to review the recommendation to release 1 billion USD of Pakistan's 6 billion USD, three-year programme.

Pakistan is meant to pass a mid-year budget to complete IMF-recommended fiscal tightening.

"As soon as the legislative procedures are completed, the IMF board will consider it for approval," the finance ministry said.