Qureshi, IMF official discuss Covid-19, its aftermath

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday received Teresa Daban Sanchez, resident representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Pakistan and discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui, the discussion focused on the Covid-19 pandemic and its aftermath.

It was agreed to continue to closely engage on the Covid-19 and on other matters of mutual interest.

While acknowledging the important role of the IMF, the foreign minister exchanged views with Resident Representative Dabanon about the measures being taken by Pakistan to contain the pathogen, and address the associated socio-economic challenges.

Referring to the enormous challenges posed by the Covid-19, the foreign minister highlighted Prime Minister Imran Khan's appeal for a "Global Initiative on Debt Relief" for developing countries to enable them fiscal space to combat the disease, save precious lives, and shore up economies.

Qureshi also welcomed announcements by the G-20, the IMF, the World Bank and others on debt service suspension initiative for debt stressed countries.

He underscored that any initiative for supporting the developing countries to combat the Covid-19 ramifications should be inclusive and without onerous conditionalities.

"This meeting was in further follow-up of the prime minister's initiative and Pakistan's efforts to bring together important stakeholders on a platform to promote coordinated health and economic response," the spokesperson added.