United States asks pakistan to ‘do more’ to enforce IMF program
ISLAMABAD: The United States has asked Pakistani to ‘do more’ and implement reforms committed with the International Monetary Fund.
The US official issued this statement at a time when Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar have already stated that the government has completed all the upfront requirements of the IMF. They also said that the government was awaiting a response from the IMF to sign a staff-level agreement with the IMF that will unlock $1.1 billion next tranche.
Elizabeth Horst, the Statement Department in charge of Pakistan said, “Pakistan must implement the needed reforms sought by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the inflation-stricken country battles with the rising economic crisis.”
“The reform(s) that Pakistan and the IMF agreed to are not easy, but it’s crucial that Pakistan take these actions to bring the country back to sound financial footing, avoid falling into further debt and grow Pakistan’s economy,” she added.
The statement of the US official indicates that Pakistan and the IMF are still far from signing the staff-level agreement.
She said that the US was concerned about the critical economic condition in Pakistan. The US has promised to support the crisis-ridden country, especially at the policy, business and transparency levels.
Horst said that Pakistan-US relations are fruitful for each other and for the world. “The bilateral trade between both countries is over nine billion and it will be increased further,” she stated.
“Pakistan is a sovereign country. It has made and always will make its own choices. It has a lot of partnerships and the US respects that,” she said.
Horst also stated that a strong, prosperous and democratic Pakistan is essential for the interests of both countries and its people.
Elizabeth Horst also said, “Afghanistan should not become a haven for the terrorists and Pakistan-US cooperation continues in this regard after the withdrawal.”
The common interest of both countries to push the Taliban to fulfil their promises as a peaceful and stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interest, she added.
