ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a “constructive” meeting with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in connection with the International Conference on Resilient Pakistan to be held in Geneva, the global lender’s spokesperson said on Sunday.
In a call with the prime minister, Georgieva once again expressed her sympathies to those directly affected by the floods and supported Pakistan’s efforts for a more resilient recovery, the statement added.
“The IMF delegation is expected to meet Finance Minister Dar on the sidelines of the Geneva conference to discuss outstanding issues and the way forward,” it said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz will lead a high-level delegation to Switzerland where he will co-host a conference with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres beginning on January 9. The conference will help mobilize international support to help the Pakistani people and government recover more effectively. From the devastation caused by the recent floods.
Head of IMF rejected invitation of Prime Minister.
Earlier this week, the IMF chief declined Prime Minister Shehbaz’s invitation to attend the conference, however, virtually agreed to participate in the moot. He explained that as the IMF board meetings were already scheduled for January 9-10, “they will only be able to attend the conference in practice”.
The IMF chief thanked for the invitation but explained that as the IMF board meetings were already scheduled for January 9-10, “she will only be able to attend the conference in practice”, the minister said. A statement issued by the office of the Prime Minister said.
Georgieva telephoned Prime Minister Shehbaz and expressed her deep sympathy and concern over the human and material losses caused by the recent floods and reiterated her commitment to help Pakistan in this difficult time.
The Prime Minister thanked the Managing Director for his concern in the wake of the floods and assured him that Pakistan was “committed to successfully completing the ongoing IMF programme”.
IMF delegation visit Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz said an IMF delegation would visit Pakistan in two to three days to “take up and finalize” the ninth economic review to end the much-needed $1.1 billion bailout tranche. can be done
“I spoke to Georgieva and emphasized that Pakistan wants to complete the IMF bailout programme,” the prime minister said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO).
“I urged him to relax the terms of the agreement as the public cannot be burdened any more. We have taxed the rich sections of the society,” the prime minister said.
“I also requested him to send a delegation for the 9th review under the loan program and he replied that IMF officials are going to visit Pakistan in a few days [2-3] days.”
The development comes as Pakistan seeks to allay concerns that the country is headed for default, as the ninth review of the IMF’s bailout program continues to be stalled by disagreements between the two sides.
The impasse has resulted in a $1.1 billion tranche being put on hold, which could have been released sometime in November.
