Bailout talks continuing at high level: IMF official

ISLAMABAD: International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan are continuing discussions at high level for a bailout package.

This was stated by Gerry Rice, Director Communication Department IMF during a media briefing.

Replying to a question about the status of the IMF negotiations with Pakistan, Rice said that they are closely engaged in these discussions.

“There have been a series of meetings, which we talked about here before, including Madame Lagarde having met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan fairly recently. Those discussions are continuing and there will be a mission to Pakistan shortly, though I do not have the exact date on that [reference to a new IMF mission chief’s trip for introductory meetings with the authorities]”, said Rice.

Replying to another question he said ‘about the amount which IMF is looking at giving financial assistance to Pakistan the number is not there, that is something that will be discussed in the context of the consultations with the authorities”.

He further said that the discussions have been ongoing at various levels even at those high levels, and they expect a mission to Pakistan shortly for further discussions.

“I cannot put a date on when they would conclude or when we would be in a position to announce agreement. There’s a process, staff visits, negotiating missions, and then we would come to it”, he added.