ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa sought helpfrom Washington in securing early disbursement of IMF loan after PrimeMinister Shehbaz Sharif authorised him to speak with US official.
A report in *The News* quoting government sources said the premier had adiscussion with the top commander before the latter spoke on phone toDeputy US Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
It said that the civil-military officials made the decision in wake of thedire economic condition of the country as the high price of energy importspushes Islamabad to the brink of a payment crisis.
Top officials decided that COAS Bajwa would approach Washington and requestit to use its influence to help Pakistan secure an early release of thefunds.
*Nikkei Asia* first reported that Pakistan’s Army Chief asked for the WhiteHouse and Treasury Department to use their leverage to help speed up therelease of the loan.
Read Top Stories
Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad also confirmed theinteraction but did not share details, saying he was not in directknowledge of the content of this discussion.
The cash-strapped country recently reached a staff-level agreement with theglobal lender for the revival of a multibillion-dollar bailout packagehowever, the deal is subject to approval by the IMF board, which is due tomeet in late this month.
The Shehbaz-led ruling alliance has been making efforts to restore investorconfidence but is facing the worst economic crisis over delay in IMFpayment. Pakistan’s Finance Chief recently claimed that once the dealamount will be secured, it is expected that pressure on the rupee and forexreserves will ease.
