ISLAMABAD: (HRNW) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) review mission is unlikely to meet political parties during its visit to Pakistan as talks for the next installment under the standby programme are underway, media reported on Saturday, citing sources.
An IMF review mission landed in Pakistan on November 2 and reviewed the country’s progress on targets set in a $3 billion programme approved in July this year to bail out the struggling economy.
The IMF executive board had approved the nine-month standby arrangement (SBA) with Pakistan “to support its economic stabilisation programme”. Following the approval by IMF board, the lender disbursed an installment of $1.1 billion to Pakistan.
If the second quarterly review is successful, it will allow for the release of the second tranche worth $710 million.
Sources told that the IMF review mission is unlikely to meet political parties as no schedule has been finalised.
Sources, quoting global lender officials, said that the IMF representatives had met the political parties in July 2023 for necessary assurances.
“IMF had sought assurances from the political parties for the implementation of the standby programme,” they added.