Pakistan will not seek IMF bailout package: Sources
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ISLAMABAD - Pakistan will not approach the IMF for a new bailout package and is considering alternative options to tide over its economic crisis, Finance Minister Asad Umar said Saturday.
Minister Umar made the remarks during a meeting with businessmen at the Karachi Chamber of Commence and Industry (KCCI).
Umar told the participants that the Imran Khan led government had decided against entering into any new bailout programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for now and was exploring other possible avenues to help Pakistan's struggling economy get back on track.
Pakistan is negotiating a USD 8 billion bailout package from the IMF to overcome a severe balance-of-payments crisis that threatens to cripple the country's economy.
The government reached out to some "friendly countries" for economic assistance including Saudi Arabia, China and the UAE since Prime Minister Khan assumed office in August.
Umar said different alternative options were being explored instead of rushing into a new IMF programme which would bring more stringent economic conditions for Pakistan.
He told the Karachi businessmen that the government would be announcing a mini-budget on January 23.
