IMF in touch with Pakistan authorities for board meeting before financing program expiry
1 min read 30 May 2023, 06:24 AM ISTThe board meeting on a review of the program would require a prior staff-level agreement, which in Pakistan's case would unlock $1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped South Asian nation as part of a $6.5 billion IMF package.
PremiumThe International Monetary Fund remains in touch with crisis-hit Pakistan in order to pave the way for a board meeting before a financing program expires at the end of June, the IMF chief for Pakistan said as quoted by the news agency Reuters.
The board meeting on a review of the program would require a prior staff-level agreement, which in Pakistan's case would unlock $1.1 billion in financing for the cash-strapped South Asian nation as part of a $6.5 billion IMF package.
The staff-level agreement has been delayed since November, with more than 100 days gone since the last staff-level mission to Pakistan, the longest such delay since at least 2008.
Nathan Porter, IMF mission chief said, “This engagement will focus on the restoration of foreign exchange proper market functioning, the passage of a FY24 budget consistent with program goals, and adequate financing."
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday said Pakistan will share its budget details with the fund.
He added that he would like the IMF to clear its 9th review before the budget, which is due to be presented in early June, as all the conditions for that had already been met, Reuters reported.
"They have asked for some more things again, we are ready to give that too, they say that give us budget details, we will give it to them," Dar said in an interview with Geo TV.
He said it would not work for Pakistan if the IMF combined the 9th and 10th review of the bailout, adding, "We will not do it, (we) see this is (as) unfair."
Porter said that broadly speaking, "overcoming the present economic and financial challenges would require sustained policy efforts and reforms for Pakistan to regain strong and inclusive private-led growth."
While the IMF does not comment on domestic politics, Porter said it hopes "a peaceful way forward is found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law," referring to Pakistan's political instability.
(With Reuters inputs)