Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was imposing harsh conditions on Pakistan due the United States’ anger at Pakistan over the situation in Afghanistan.
He said in an interview with Talat Hussain on Naya Pakistan that previous IMF conditions were a ‘cake walk’ compared to the current IMF requirements. He alleged that the IMF was reluctant to disburse funds due to the current ‘geopolitical situation.’
https://twitter.com/mustafa_ppp/status/1477873820111290368?s=24
The Finance Minister referred to Pakistan’s ongoing consultations with the IMF for the restoration of USD 6 billion for the Extended Fund Facility. He said that the IMF had influenced many of the government’s decisions.
The Minister also commented on the Supplementary Finance Bill of 2021, the State Bank Amendment Bill, inflation, prior requirements of the IMF and other central financial issues.
On the the Finance Supplementary Bill and the State Bank of Pakistan Amendment Bill, he said that both had been presented to the National Assembly (NA) and the government was working expeditiously to have both bills approved.
Once the bills are approved, the IMF will be informed that the process has commenced.
"We have asked IMF to schedule a meeting on January 12, and they have agreed to convene a meeting. It may take 3 to 4 days more beyond the important date of January 12, when IMF board is going to approve the 1 billion US dollar tranche,” he said.
He said in an interview with Talat Hussain on Naya Pakistan that previous IMF conditions were a ‘cake walk’ compared to the current IMF requirements. He alleged that the IMF was reluctant to disburse funds due to the current ‘geopolitical situation.’
https://twitter.com/mustafa_ppp/status/1477873820111290368?s=24
The Finance Minister referred to Pakistan’s ongoing consultations with the IMF for the restoration of USD 6 billion for the Extended Fund Facility. He said that the IMF had influenced many of the government’s decisions.
The Minister also commented on the Supplementary Finance Bill of 2021, the State Bank Amendment Bill, inflation, prior requirements of the IMF and other central financial issues.
On the the Finance Supplementary Bill and the State Bank of Pakistan Amendment Bill, he said that both had been presented to the National Assembly (NA) and the government was working expeditiously to have both bills approved.
Once the bills are approved, the IMF will be informed that the process has commenced.
"We have asked IMF to schedule a meeting on January 12, and they have agreed to convene a meeting. It may take 3 to 4 days more beyond the important date of January 12, when IMF board is going to approve the 1 billion US dollar tranche,” he said.