ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program on Wednesday during a meeting with US Embassy Charge’d Affaires Andrew Schofer.
The finance minister briefed Schofer on the ongoing IMF program and assured him that the coalition government “is committed to completing the programme” during their meeting at the Finance Division, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance. In response, Schofer expressed his support for strengthening the current economic and trade ties between the two countries and expressed his confidence in Pakistan’s policies and programs for economic stability, according to the statement.
The finance minister apprised the American diplomat about the economic situation and discussed the current challenges it was facing.
He further communicated about the difficult policy decisions recently being taken by the government with the aim of stabilising and subsequently boosting the economy, ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.
During the meeting, Schofer and Dar also exchanged views on “remarkable bilateral relations held with the United States on economic and trade fronts”.
Dar thanked the US charge’d affaires and reiterated the government’s desire to expand bilateral trade and investment ties with the US.
The meeting comes a day after The News — citing sources — reported that Pakistani authorities and the Washington-based lender were blaming each other for the delay in the revival of the bailout programme.
Official sources told the publication on Monday that both the IMF and Pakistan were holding each other responsible for the “unwarranted delay” in the completion of the outstanding ninth review and reviving the stalled programme after the lapse of almost 80 days since both sides completed Islamabad parleys on February 9.
According to a report, Pakistan’s options for reviving the IMF programme are shrinking with the passage of every day. It is yet to be ascertained how the country will proceed to accomplish the existing IMF programme, which expires on June 30, 2023.
