A unilateral statement released by the International Monetary Fund after the end of the fourth review of the $6.8 billion bailout package in Dubai on Monday indicated that IMF wants Islamabad to take steps over the next three weeks for the enactment of a law through parliament for ensuring complete autonomy of the State Bank, rationalize energy prices and resolve the political crisis.
These measures will enable the IMF delegates to submit a positive report to their executive board.
Before the talks in Dubai, the IMF had indicated that the board would meet between Sept 10 and 15 to take up Pakistan’s case for disbursement of a $550m tranche, a part of the $6.8bn package.
The statement was released after the country’s delegation and an IMF team were unable to reach agreement, despite last-ditch efforts by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, during negotiations lasting 12 days (Aug 6 to 18).
