IMF loan helps Pakistan unlock another $5.6 billion in funding
IMF board approved the bailout loan program of $3 billion this week after months of delay
Islamabad: Pakistan is set to draw in $5.6 billion in additional financing after securing a loan from the International Monetary Fund, a move seen as helping the South Asian nation avoid a default and boosting its foreign-exchange reserves.
The new funding includes $3.7 billion of commitments from its bilateral partners, the IMF’s mission chief for Pakistan said in an emailed response. Some $3 billion has been disbursed, he said.
The IMF executive board approved the bailout loan program of $3 billion this week after months of delay, boosting Pakistan’s financial stability ahead of elections this year. Fitch Ratings upgraded Pakistan this week on the improving funding environment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif sealed the bailout program after holding hour-long phone calls and several meetings with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The IMF loan program also reflects $400 million more than what would have been available under the previous program, Porter said.
The nation has seen inflows of about $4.2 billion this week alone that will almost double its reserves. More inflows are expected from multilateral development partners including the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Islamic Development Bank in the coming weeks and months, Bilal Kayani, Prime Minister’s coordinator on the economy said in a Twitter post.
Improving finances will ease Pakistan into elections later this year and Sharif has said he will hand over power to a caretaker government next month. Pakistan’s assets have rallied with bonds gaining 40 per cent in the past month, while stocks surged about 9 per cent to become one of the top performers globally.