WASHINGTON – The United States (US) will have the final say in approvingthe IMF bailout package for Pakistan, it it has been revealed.

US will evaluate on merit a bailout package sought by Pakistan from theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF), the State Department said Thursday.

“We understand that Pakistan has formally requested assistance from theIMF. As we do in all cases, we will examine closely all aspects, includingPakistan’ s debt position, in evaluating any loan program,” a StateDepartment Spokesperson Heather Nauert said during briefing.

“This is something that we’ve been tracking fairly closely. The Secretaryhad spoken about this a few months back, I know, in some interviews notthat long ago. I think part of the reason that Pakistan found itself inthis situation is Chinese debt and the fact that there is debt thatgovernments have incurred that they maybe thought wouldn’t be so tough tobail themselves out of, but has become increasingly tough. So – lastquestion and then I’ve got to go,” she said.

The spokesperson was responding to a question on the request made byPakistan for a USD 8 bailout package. The spokespersons comments came on aday when Pakistan s Finance Minister Asad Umar met IMF Managing DirectorChristine Lagarde in Nusa Dua, Indonesia and formally sought a bailout fromthe global lender.

The US has the greatest influence in the IMF s decision-making process.