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IMF should not interfere in Pakistan’s political, domestic affairs: Aisha Ghaus Pasha

  • Minister of State for Finance says IMF's comment on Pakistan's domestic affairs is 'extraordinary', wants 'uncertainty' on bailout to end
Published May 31, 2023

Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghaus Pasha said Nathan Porter, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Mission Chief to Pakistan, should not interfere in Pakistan’s political and domestic affairs.

Talking to media persons in Islamabad on Wednesday, the minister also said the government has not received any “official communication” from the IMF.

“We are only looking at the official communiqué, and no such statement has been given by the IMF in written or during the meetings,” she said.

The remarks come after IMF Resident Representative in Pakistan Esther Perez Ruiz shared a statement with Business Recorder, saying that the statement answers a number of recent press questions.

“You can attribute to Nathan Porter, she added.

The statement attributed to Porter stated: “We take note of recent political developments, and while we do not comment on domestic politics, we do hope that a peaceful way forward is found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.

“Sustaining strong policies and obtaining sufficient financing from partners remain key for Pakistan to maintain macroeconomic stability.

“To this end, IMF staff continues the engagement with the Pakistani authorities to pave the way for a Board meeting before the current program expires at end-June,” read the statement.

A similar statement on Pakistan’s politics was also issued earlier in the aftermath of Imran’s arrest.

In response, Ghaus termed the IMF’s remarks as “extraordinary”, adding that the multilateral lender does not give such a statement “ordinarily”.

“This is an extraordinary thing, as we (government) are a supporter of democracy. We want all institutions to work under the parameters of the constitution and are moving forward under the rule of law,” she said.

Pasha added that the government remains engaged with the IMF at the technical level, and progress is being made.

“The government has conveyed to the IMF that the continuous delay in revival of the programme is not in the interest of both parties (Pakistan and the IMF). The uncertainty needs to end.

“We have clearly told IMF Managing Director (Kristalina Georgieva) that the government wants to complete the programme. The IMF chief has also conveyed that she wants to see progress,” she added.

The state minister said that the upcoming budget would be in the interest of Pakistan.

Background

In its latest statement to the media, the IMF said that import suppression in Pakistan is inflicting shortages of goods and plant closures, undermining economic activity and revenue collection.

This was stated by Esther Perez Ruiz, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Resident Representative in Pakistan, while responding to Business Recorder queries.

Pakistan’s bailout programme with the IMF has been stalled at the ninth review since November, while talks on the staff-level agreement have dragged on over securing necessary financing assurances to bridge the balance of payments’ gap.

Pakistan earlier said it has managed to secure $3 billion in commitments – Saudi Arabia’s $2 billion and another billion from the UAE – but reports suggested the amount was around half of what the lender wanted in assurance. The amounts are yet to be deposited with Pakistan’s central bank.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Tulukan Mairandi May 31, 2023 03:04pm
If you don't like it, stop begging and pleading with them for bail out. Go thru a default and meet our destined fate sooner.
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MaiKolachi May 31, 2023 03:15pm
Well..the beggar in chief...has already said the historic words: Beggars are not choosers!
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Boncr May 31, 2023 03:30pm
Not ask charity from others.If you see India they never beg money from others. They not interfere if you stand by your own feet.
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Abdullah May 31, 2023 03:31pm
They will not provided we stop begging imf
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MaiKolachi May 31, 2023 03:35pm
Why not a statement by DAR...the dude with zero credibility...the reason for IMF's reluctance...political stability via fair elections!
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Johnny May 31, 2023 03:39pm
IMF and the whole world is watching the human rights abuses and torture of women! Sanctions are around the corner!
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Muhammad Asad May 31, 2023 03:57pm
Then stop begging for their money too :)
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Abdullah May 31, 2023 04:41pm
@Johnny, dear ni torture was done.But these were terrorists which had ti be desltbwith iron fists and those women were shields used by pti.As usual he is good at hiding behind women in such situations and uses them .
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KU May 31, 2023 04:53pm
As expected, a stupid statement by the equally unqualified minister. These are ruthless people who have no information on the difficulties faced by the people, and they don't care what the future has in store for the masses.
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Mushtaque Ahmed May 31, 2023 05:07pm
Why is the government talking to the creditor through the media? The prognosis seems acute and difficult!
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Notyourbusiness May 31, 2023 05:18pm
@Kashif ALI, did you mean greedy expats or market aware expats? - which stupid person in this world would not exchange money at the most preferential rate available? If anyone has to show loyalty towards the country it is the Pak Army and the PDM government who seem to ruling the country by force by scaring the masses
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test May 31, 2023 06:21pm
In the first place, Why every political party goes to IMF ? The answer is to feed the lavish lifestyle of elite class. When in opposition they say "I will die but I will not go to IMF" quoting both "Nawaz and Imran". Both Nawaz and Imran wanted to die instead of going to IMF. One thing about Nawaz Sharif which is good is that he gave Pakistan CPEC and moved the Pakistan towards China. The only solution to our economic problems is industry. Since our local industrialists has no guts then the only way is the relocation of Chinese industrial units to the Special Economic Zones of Pakistan. Western countries has chosen india as their strategic partner and China has chosen Pakistan as their startegic partner. So we have to clearly make a bloc choice which is of course our brother China as usual.
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zh May 31, 2023 08:56pm
IMF has every right to be concerned about the political stability of Pakistan. After all they want the money back at some stage. Who in the right mind would and the money to a country i disarray. Stop beating the chest, wake up and smell the coffee.
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Aamir Latif May 31, 2023 10:18pm
Rightly said, please let Pakistan on its feet instead to beg IMF. History has proven that IMF programs never benefitted any country except hardships under the garb of reforms.. Theur 5- months delay in SLA points to bigger agenda agsinst Pakistan
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Janzeib May 31, 2023 11:24pm
i halp in business
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Boncr Jun 01, 2023 01:50am
@Abdullah, After the day of judgement.
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Hashim Sultan Jun 01, 2023 10:08am
@Abdullah, shouldn't you be out on a ledge somewhere?
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