ISLAMABAD: PM’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said that he is hopeful that the talks on bailout package with International Monetary Fund (IMF) will turn out to be successful.
Talking to media after holding talks with the IMF officials, Hafeez Shaikh talked about the progress attained in talks with the visiting delegation.
“Initial negotiations have taken place with IMF. The mission was apprised regarding the agenda of economic reforms”, he said, adding that the talks will continue for few more days.
According to sources, the technical talks are underway with the visiting IMF delegation at a local hotel in the federal capital as the country awaits final nod on the bailout package expected to be USD 6-8 billion. Pakistani delegation comprises of officials of Ministry of Finance and other senior officials whereas IMF’s delegation is being led by mission Chief Ernesto Ramirez Rigo.
Government has done thorough preparations on the economic framework which will be tabled to the visiting IMF team which is arriving in the country on its ‘review mission’, sources said.
IMF and Pakistan’s delegation are also expected to agree on initiate strict technical steps for restricting electricity and gas theft, sources added.
The IMF delegation arrived in Pakistan on Monday to discuss technical aspects for the bailout programme and met with the officials of the ministry, the Federal Board of Revenue and the State Bank.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan met with the managing director of the IMF, Christine Lagarde, on April 26 during his tour to China. They two dignitaries discussed the bailout package as well as the current situation of Pakistan’s economy.
