U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted that the United States stands with Pakistan during its challenging times and welcomes the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) sanction of a program to aid Pakistan.
Blinken further encouraged Pakistan to persist in its collaboration with the IMF to bring about macroeconomic reforms and facilitate sustainable economic recovery.
Previously, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the IMF Executive Board’s approval of a Stand-by Agreement amounting to $3 billion marks significant progress in the government’s endeavours to stabilize the economy and ensure macroeconomic stability.
According to him, it enhances Pakistan’s economic standing to address immediate to medium-term economic hurdles, providing the forthcoming government with the fiscal capacity to strategize the path ahead.
The prime minister appreciated this achievement, realized against considerable odds and within a seemingly unattainable timeframe, attributing it to outstanding team collaboration.
Sharif expressed gratitude towards Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and his team at the Ministry of Finance for their diligence. He also extended his special thanks to Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF, and her team for their assistance and cooperation.