Pakistan should remove political instability according to the constitution, Shahbaz government got chills due to IMF’s statement

Pakistan’s Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Wednesday criticized the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for interfering in Pakistan’s internal affairs. Hitting back at IMF mission chief Nathan Porter’s statement on Pakistan’s political instability, the minister said Pakistan’s conduct was in accordance with the law. While the IMF does not comment on domestic politics. IMF has clearly said that Pakistan will get a loan only if it removes the ongoing political instability in the country according to the constitution. Let us tell you that Porter said that the fund hopes that a peaceful way will be found in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law.

The Minister of State said that the delay is neither good for Pakistan nor for the Fund. He expressed hope that the two sides would reach an agreement before the announcement of the federal budget for the financial year 2023-24. Pasha confirmed reports that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, adding that the premier assured the head of the fund that Pakistan would meet all its obligations.

On 27 May PM Shahbaz contacted Georgieva, requesting her to help revive the stalled $6.5 billion facility to Pakistan. The coalition government has been in talks with the Washington-based lender since November to revive its bailout programme, with the financing gap among the biggest hurdles. About $2.7 billion remains to be disbursed from the $6.5 billion program that ends next month.