The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has released its calendar, delineating meetings until April 3, with Pakistan’s case notably absent from the agenda.
“The calendar is subject to change, and the agenda for each meeting is typically finalized the day before the meeting,” states the international lender on its website.
However, anticipation mounts for a meeting concerning the South Asian country, projected to convene in the second week of April. Recently, the IMF and Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement on the conclusive evaluation of a $3 billion bailout. Upon approval from the Fund’s Executive Board, Pakistan is slated to receive $1.1 billion.
These funds represent the ultimate installment of a $3 billion stand-by arrangement secured by Pakistan last summer. The nine-month accord played a pivotal role in averting a sovereign debt default. It’s worth mentioning that Islamabad is actively pursuing another long-term bailout.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb disclosed last week that Pakistan would engage in discussions regarding an Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF in Washington next month.
As per the calendar, upcoming meetings are earmarked for March 25 (today) pertaining to Colombia, March 26 concerning Morocco, and March 27 addressing Algeria, while the IMF will review the World Economic Outlook on April 3.
Sources informed Aaj News that Pakistan’s case would come under deliberation post-April 15, subsequent to the board’s scrutiny of the outlook.
