Observer Report Washington/Islamabad
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin has denied that talks between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund for the resumption of $6 billion Extended Fund Facility have failed, clarifying that negotiations were, in fact, headed in a “positive direction”.
“The talks are continuing,” Tarin told reporters after addressing members of the Pakistani community at the consulate general in New York on Sunday night.
Tarin, who has been made the adviser to the prime minister on finance and revenue, in his talk with journalists, said that the government was “working hard for an inclusive and sustainable economic growth that benefits all segments of the society, especially the poor”.
The finance adviser arrived in New York on Friday from Washington where, besides the loan talks, he attended the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank.
“I don’t know what’s the basis on which an impression has been given by some that the talks have failed — they are totally wrong,” he said.
At this stage, the adviser said, final details were being worked out and the negotiations would conclude successfully.
Tarin said finance secretary Yusuf Khan was still in Washington pursuing the talks with relevant IMF officials, and that he was in contact with the FBR chairman as well as with him for any advice.
There was an atmosphere of positivity and the next few days would show a productive outcome from the talks, he said.
