PM Shahbaz Authorized Bajwa To Approach US Regarding IMF Deal

PM Shahbaz Authorized Bajwa To Approach US Regarding IMF Deal
Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa recently approached the United States to request the expedition of the $1.2 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) tranche release after seeking permission from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to a report by The News, the prime minister had a discussion with the army chief about the dire economic condition of the country, and both agreed on taking a certain set of measures.

During the meeting, it was also decided that the army chief would approach the US administration and request it to use its influence to help Pakistan secure an early release of the IMF loan. The two also discussed other options that could help take the country out of the economic crisis it was in.

A media report said that the army chief talked to US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman on a phone call earlier this week and requested the White House to push the international financial institution to immediately release $1.2 billion loan to Pakistan.

Allegedly, separate meetings between senior civilian Pakistani and American officials were also held earlier this month, with the COAS appealing to the US only when the civilian officials could not manage to negotiate an early disbursement of funds.

The report quoted Pakistan’s former ambassador to Washington Hussain Haqqani as saying, "This reflects that the Pakistan army chief is the authority with whom the global players feel the final word rests."