ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister Imran Khan was informed by Finance Asad Umaron Monday that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout isn’t in theinterest of the country as it will weigh heavily on the poor segment of thepopulation and put further pressure on the economy.

The finance minister shared his views in a meeting of the Economic AdvisoryCouncil (ECC) of the cabinet presided by the Prime Minister on Monday,highly-placed sources shared, reports *Express Tribune.*

During the meeting, members of the EAC and a cabinet member who hadpreviously worked with global financial institutions advocated thegovernment to reach a deal with the IMF.

However, Umar’s opinion held sway and it got support from adviser tofinance ministry Dr Najeeb Khan and economist Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan.

According to sources, Umar apprised the PM that the best way to approachthe IMF was on Pakistan’s terms since the deal offered by theWashington-based lender wasn’t in its favour.

The finance minister stressed on finding an alternative to the IMF and thefinal option was to reach a deal with them on their terms, the sources saidquoting the finance minister.