IMF stands ready to support Pakistan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and IMF Managing Director Chirstine Lagrade held a meeting on the sidelines of World Government Summit on Sunday to hold talks on an IMF-support program.
In a statement issued by the IMF, Lagarde said that during the meeting she reiterated the IMF stands ready to support Pakistan.
“I also highlighted that decisive policies and a strong package of economic reforms would enable Pakistan to restore the resilience of its economy and lay the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth,” the statement quoted her as saying.
She said protecting the poor and strengthening governance are key priorities to improve people’s living standards in a sustainable manner.
Prime Minister Imran Khan
Using his Twitter account, the prime minister said in his meeting with Managing Director of the IMF “there was a convergence of our views on the need to carry out deep structural reforms to put the country on the path of sustainable development in which the most vulnerable segments of society are protected”.
Foreign Minister
Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan and the IMF have agreed on basic points and technical issues would soon be finalized.
Quoting sources a private channel reported that there was difference between the two sides on the timing of implementation of the IMF program, with Islamabad giving assurance that it will meet the IMF demands.
The IMF, however, wants Pakistan to immediately accepts its demands.
Citing unnamed sources, the TV channel reported that the IMF demands include: depreciation of rupee and increase in tax collection.
Both the sides agreed to keep the details of the agreement secrets, the sources said.