Sovereign credit rating cut by two notches from CCC+ amid \u2018critically low reserves, difficult IMF conditions\u2019
\n KARACHI
\nGlobal ratings agency Fitch cut Pakistan\u2019s sovereign credit rating on Tuesday by two notches from CCC+ to CCC-, citing policy and large refinancing risks, critically low reserves and difficult conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
\nThis is the second downgrade since October, when Fitch cut Pakistan\u2019s sovereign rating from B- to CCC+.
\nFitch typically does not assign outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of CCC+ and below. Its downgrade comes after S&P Global in December cut its long-term sovereign credit rating for Pakistan by one notch to \u201cCCC+\u201d from \u201cB\u201d, citing a continued weakening of its external, fiscal and economic metrics.
\nThe IMF and Pakistan failed to strike a deal last week and a visiting IMF delegation departed Islamabad after 10 days of talks. While negotiations will continue, the cash-strapped country is in dire need of funds as it battles an economic crisis with enough reserves to finance only three weeks of imports.
\nThe delay in the IMF deal has further weakened the country\u2019s economy, already in turmoil with the rupee shedding more than a quarter of its value against the U.S. dollar, fuel prices rising by almost a fifth, and inflation at a multi-decade high of 27%.
\nFitch noted that shortfalls in revenue collection, energy subsidies and policies inconsistent with a market-determined exchange rate, were the reason behind delays with the ninth review of Pakistan\u2019s IMF programme, originally due in November 2022.
\n\u201cWe understand that completion of the review hinges on additional front-loaded revenue measures and increases to regulated electricity and fuel prices,\u201d the agency said.
\nThe agency added that Pakistan\u2019s traditional allies like China, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have shown reluctance to fund it in the absence of an IMF programme, which is \u201calso critical for other multilateral and bilateral funding\u201d.
\nThe agency however adds that following a successful review Pakistan will be able to unlock funds. Pakistan stands to receive $3.5 billion from other multilaterals during the fiscal year.
\nFitch anticipates external public-debt maturities will remain high in the next fiscal year.
\n\u201cOf the $7 billion remaining for fiscal year 2023, $3 billion represent deposits from China (SAFE) that are likely to be rolled over, and $1.7 billion are loans from Chinese commercial banks which Fitch assumes will be refinanced in the near future,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sovereign credit rating cut by two notches from CCC+ amid \u2018critically low reserves, difficult IMF conditions\u2019 KARACHI Global ratings agency Fitch cut Pakistan\u2019s sovereign credit rating on Tuesday by two notches from CCC+ to CCC-, citing policy and large refinancing risks, critically low reserves and difficult conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":313760,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-313740","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n