ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Foreign Office dismissed a foreign media report that claimed Pakistan was selling weapons to Ukraine in exchange for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package. The report, published by The Intercept, alleged that Pakistan was covertly supplying arms to Kyiv as part of an arrangement with the IMF.
The Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, described the report as “baseless and fabricated.” She emphasized that the IMF Standby Arrangement for Pakistan was negotiated to implement essential economic reforms, and any attempt to interpret these negotiations differently was misleading.
Furthermore, Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s policy of strict neutrality in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, asserting that Pakistan does not provide arms and ammunition to either side. She highlighted that Pakistan’s defense exports adhere to strict end-user requirements.
In July, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, during an official visit to Islamabad, had denied media reports suggesting that Pakistan was supplying arms to Kyiv in the context of its conflict with Russia. He stated that there was no arms supply agreement between Pakistan and Ukraine and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Kuleba also expressed interest in strengthening trade and economic ties between the two countries.
Pakistan’s economic situation has been precarious, and in July of this year, the IMF deposited $1.2 billion into the State Bank of Pakistan’s account, offering hope for economic stability after months of financial uncertainty. The IMF’s executive board approved a $3 billion Standby Arrangement for Pakistan after lengthy negotiations, providing much-needed funding to the nation. Pakistan had previously reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF in June to secure this short-term pact.
