ISLAMABAD
\nState Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Wednesday censured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over its \u201cinterference\u201d in Pakistan\u2019s internal matters, a day after the comments passed by a top official of the international lender.
\nShe described terming IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan Nathan Porter\u2019s statement \u2014 regarding the political situation in the country \u2014 \u201cextraordinary\u201d. Pakistan\u2019s conduct was in line with the law, the state minister said.
\nHowever, Dr Pasha Dr Pasha confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and assured her that Pakistan would meet all the obligations.
\nWhen asked about Pakistan\u2019s plan of action in case it fails to convince the fund before the expiry of the programme on June 30, she said the finance ministry was not sitting with its eyes closed.
\n\u201cThere is always a Plan B but out priority is to revive the IMF programme,\u201d Dr Pasha said, adding that the delay in agreement was not in the interests of both Pakistan and the IMF.
\nOn Tuesday, Porter had said, \u201cWe take note of recent political developments, and while we do not comment on domestic politics, we do hope that a peaceful way forward is found in line with the Constitution and the rule of law.\u201d
\nHe also said that they were engaging with Pakistan to pave the way for the international lender\u2019s board meeting and talks would focus on the budget for next financial year.
\nPorter\u2019s statement also had a long list of demands including restoration of foreign exchange proper market functioning, keeping in mind programme goals in preparation of the upcoming budget, and adequate financing.
\nHe said broadly speaking, \u201covercoming the present economic and financial challenges would require sustained policy efforts and reforms for Pakistan to regain strong and inclusive private-led growth.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD State Minister for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha on Wednesday censured the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over its \u201cinterference\u201d in Pakistan\u2019s internal matters, a day after the comments passed by a top official of the international lender. She described terming IMF Mission Chief for Pakistan Nathan Porter\u2019s statement \u2014 regarding the political […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":334699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[9884],"class_list":{"0":"post-334667","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-aisha-ghaus-pasha"},"yoast_head":"\n