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Markets

Moody’s says chances of Pakistan securing IMF bailout dwindling: report

  • Moody's analyst says Pakistan could default without an IMF programme
Published June 14, 2023

Moody’s Investors Service warned that Pakistan is at an increased risk of a failure to restart its $6.7-billion bailout program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), stalled since November last year, pushing the country closer to a sovereign default, reported Bloomberg.

“There are increasing risks that Pakistan may be unable to complete the IMF programme that expires at the end of June,” Grace Lim, a sovereign analyst with the ratings company in Singapore, was quoted as saying by Bloomberg on Wednesday.

“Without an IMF programme, Pakistan could default, given its very weak reserves.”

The ratings agency had earlier warned Pakistan could default without the IMF bailout.

Meanwhile, Pakistani authorities have been scrambling to appease the international lender, with a financing gap of around $2 billion and exchange-rate policy among the biggest hurdles, said the report on Wednesday.

The Pakistani government on several occasions has reiterated that it has met all conditionalities of the multilateral agent.

“We are still very hopeful that the IMF programme will materialize,” PM Shehbaz Sharif told Anadolu in Ankara, earlier this month. “Our ninth review by the IMF will match all terms and conditions and, hopefully, we’ll have some good news this month,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg said while the government has pledged to meet billions of debt obligations, investors remain skeptical as the country’s dollar bonds are trading in distress.

“The country’s $1 billion bond due in April next year was little changed at about 55.6 cents on the dollar in Asian trading on Wednesday, after sliding almost 3 cents in the previous two days,” said the report.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani rupee may face further downward pressure, Lim said in an emailed response to questions.

“The IMF’s comments on the exchange rate likely referred to the gap in the inter-bank and retail markets,” she said.

Moody’s analyst said that Pakistan’s financing options beyond June are highly uncertain, even as its external repayments will remain significant over the next few years.

“Continuing the engagement with the IMF would support additional financing from other multilateral and bilateral partners, which could reduce default risk,” she said.

It is pertinent to mention that the ongoing IMF programme is scheduled to expire on June 30.

Last week, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the newly elected government should negotiate a fresh deal with the international lender.

“We are hopeful the ninth review is completed successfully, as it is necessary for Pakistan,” said Dar during the question-and-answer session following the unveiling of the Economic Survey 2022-23.

“After this, it will be only fair that it be the prerogative of a new government, after elections, to negotiate any new programme with the IMF,” he said.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Saleem Jun 14, 2023 12:21pm
No IMF deal soon, this is the harsh reality. Maybe this will push us to stand on our own...A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
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Abdullah Jun 14, 2023 12:42pm
Great. Can we now start taxing the rich please.
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Jhany Waalker Jun 14, 2023 02:54pm
With Dar at the helm there is not going to be any IMF deal and neither will the Arabs and Chinese give any more loans. It is about time the Hafiz stopped supporting this quack government and prepare for the consequences of default and restructuring.
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Tulukan Mairandi Jun 14, 2023 03:41pm
No deal. Period. Default will happen.
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Ash Chak Jun 14, 2023 07:50pm
Good luck to the next government trying to convince the IMF to part with their money.
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Ali Jun 14, 2023 08:13pm
They have been saying it for the last one year.
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Maqbool Jun 14, 2023 10:27pm
Dar refused to show IMF the budget document as agreed before it was presented. By allowing $100,000 amnesty he’s crossed FAFT . Who’s side is he on ?
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Abu Jun 15, 2023 12:39am
Dar tried to do impossible to possible by delaying 9th review from November 2022 until present by keeping $ rate at unrealistic price versus market price Shame on liar Khawaja Asif
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