Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan expressed his gratitude to Sri Lanka on Monday for its support and assistance in helping Pakistan secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In a telephonic conversation with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, PM Shehbaz praised the island nation’s contribution to regional peace and prosperity and recognized its role as a close friend and well-wisher of Pakistan. The PM hoped that both nations would soon overcome their current economic hardships. In response, President Wickremesinghe described Pakistan as a close friend and highlighted the importance of mutual aid in friendship.
The IMF Agreement: Implications for Pakistan and Sri Lanka’s Role
The call with President Wickremesinghe came after PM Shehbaz’s meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, during which the Sri Lankan leader urged the IMF to provide aid to Pakistan. Amid concerns of a potential debt default, Pakistan’s new IMF-supported programme aims to address domestic and external imbalances and facilitate fiscal adjustments for the 2023-24 budget. Despite concerns about Pakistan’s previous performance with IMF programmes, PM Shehbaz reassured Georgieva of Islamabad’s commitment to the new plan, hoping to bridge the existing trust deficit.
. Explore the details of their conversation and the implications of the IMF agreement.){kind=link}