ISLAMABAD – Finance Ministry responds over media reports linked withInternational Monetary Fund deal.
The finance ministry on Monday dispelled reports that “tough prior actions”were needed before Pakistan could secure the third tranche of Rs452 millionfrom the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
On Sunday, *The Newslink*hadreported that the government will have to “take prior actions by placing aviable fiscal adjustment plan, hiking gas and power tariff and ensuringChinese loans rollover in order to strike a staff-level agreement with theIMF”.
In an official statement released on Monday, the finance ministry said: “Itis completely normal for quarterly reviews to take a few more days thanplanned, which must never be viewed as something extraordinary.”
“The second and third quarterly reviews will be presented before the IMFboard separately as planned.
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No decision has been taken as to any prior actions. China is Pakistan’sbrother and there is no apprehension whatsoever on theroll-over/refinancing of Chinese loans,” the statement added.
The ministry explained that the IMF team had “constructive and productivediscussions” with Pakistani authorities and commended Pakistan on theprogress made during the last few months regarding “advancing reforms andcontinuing with sound economic policies”.
