Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) can combine the ninth and tenth reviews due to the upcoming holidays (of the lender), and Pakistan’s performance for the ninth review was complete.
Talks with IMF and friendly countries
Talking to a private media outlet, Dar said that talks with the IMF have so far remained positive and encouraging.
He also held talks with the leadership of China and Saudi Arabia, in the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Pakistan has received a positive response from both time-tested friendly countries.
He said that Saudi Arabia has said that they will provide financial support to take the market into confidence. “The Chinese president in the presence of prime minister (Shehbaz Sharif) said, “we will help.”
“Their message makes it clear that there will also be cooperation”. Dar said that 70 per cent of arrears had been committed, and the external deficit was being reduced because last year, the current account deficit was estimated at $ 5.8 billion, which has been reduced to $ 2.8 billion.
IMF representative to Pakistan
Meanwhile, IMF representative to Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz has said that discussion with the Pakistani authorities was useful leading up to the ninth review meeting.
He said that important economic goals were being reviewed during meetings with Pakistan, keeping the floods in view.
The IMF representative said discussions with Pakistani authorities would continue on the agreed financial and monetary policies, exchange rate, and energy policies.
