ISLAMABAD – The support of Saudi Arabia will be helpful in facing thecurrent economic crunch in the country. In my views, despite getting a 6billion USD bailout package from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan will still beseeking an IMF bailout as the need of Pakistan is still approximately 9-10billion USD.

When IMF lends to a country then the credit rating of the country goes upresulting in increase in the foreign investment. But now Pakistan will bein a position to negotiate with the IMF from improved position.

It is the fact that The Saudi package may provide breathing space to thegovernment for dealing with economic challenges, but would not be enough toavoid the IMF facility.