WASHINGTON – The United States has assured that it will support Pakistan’s efforts manage its daunting debt burden amid ongoing talks with IMF for a new multi-billion-dollars loan agreement.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller stated this during a regular press briefing when he was asked if the US is supporting or can support Pakistan in these challenging times?
“Pakistan has made progress to stabilize its economy, and we support its efforts to manage its daunting debt burden. We encourage the government to prioritize and expand economic reforms to address its economic challenges,” he said.
He welcomed last month’s announcement that the IMF has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan. “We understand the – as you said, the Pakistani minister of finance is in town here in Washington for meetings at the IMF and World Bank”.
“Our support for the country’s economic success is unwavering, and we will continue to engage with Pakistan through technical agreements, as well as through our trade and investment ties, all of which are priorities of our bilateral relationship,” Miller said.
Meanwhile, World Bank has assured its full support for Pakistan’s reforms and digitalization programs to stabilize the economy and enhance revenues.
The assurance came during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and President of World Bank Group Ajay Banga in Washington.
The minister highlighted Pakistan’s progress under the nine-month Stand-By Arrangement program and ongoing reforms in priority areas of taxation, energy and privatization.
