IMF, Pakistan fail to strike deal on bailout package
The HinduCash-strapped Pakistan and the IMF have failed to reach a staff-level agreement on a much-needed $1.1 billion bailout package aimed at preventing the country from going bankrupt. In a statement Porter said, the IMF team welcomes Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's commitment to implementing policies needed to safeguard macroeconomic stability and thanks the authorities for the constructive discussions. Pakistan Finance Minister Dar said in a press conference on Friday the government has received a memorandum on the terms and conditions from the IMF for the completion of a $7 billion loan programme, but acknowledged that both sides are yet to clinch a staff-level agreement. The finance minister acknowledged that reforms in certain sectors required by the IMF were in Pakistan’s interest, criticising the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government for “economic destruction and misgovernance”. Ismail has said Pakistan would have to enter another IMF programme after the current one ends in June due to declining foreign exchange reserves.