"Ready to work with new Pakistani govt:" IMF pays no attention to Imran's demand

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Friday said that it is ready to work with the new Pakistani government, declining to comment on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's request to conduct an audit of the polls results before approving any new loan for the cash-strapped country.

Addressing a press conference, IMF’s Director Communications Julie Kozack informed that the global lender brought total outlay, which was agreed in the Standby Arrangement (SBA), to $1.9 billion on Jaunary 11.

“During the period of the caretaker government, the authorities have maintained economic stability,” she said while referring to the PM Kakar-led interim setup. 

“We look forward to working with the new government on policies to ensure macroeconomic stability and prosperity for all of Pakistan’s citizens,” Kozack added.

A journalist asked her stance on the PTI founder's letter, to which she maintained not to comment on the situation.

“I’m not going to comment on ongoing political developments [in Pakistan],” she said.

A day earlier, PTI founder Imran Khan, through his lawyer Barrister Ali Zafar, sent an important message that he would write a letter to the IMF for an audit of the February 8 election before it strikes any deal with Islamabad.

On the other hand, Pakis­tan plans to seek a new loan of at least $6 billion from the IMF to help the incoming government repay billions in debt due this year, according to Bloomberg News.

The negotiation talks between the two are expe­cted to start in March or April, it said citing a government official.