The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that negotiations with Pakistan are in progress for the 9th review of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF). According to a spokesperson for the IMF, talks regarding the loan program with Pakistan will continue, and they have not yet received any signal from Pakistan regarding the suspension of the program.
The spokesperson stated that the IMF is looking for assurance from Pakistan about the implementation of economic policy. In 2019, Pakistan signed a three-year loan agreement with the fund that is set to end in June 2023.
Additionally, Pakistan has provided assurance to the IMF that it will not implement a fuel subsidy scheme during the current fiscal year of 2022-23, according to the official.
Regarding the recent arrest of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief, the IMF official declined to comment.
