KARACHI: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday said he was not concerned whether the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) team arrived or not for the ninth review of a $7 billion loan programme, saying that he had to look at the country’s interest first.

Appearing on Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, the finance minister was questioned about the delayed arrival of the IMF team, to which he said: “I don’t care if they come. I don’t have to plead before them. I have to look at Pakistan’s matters.”

Finance minister says he has to ‘prioritise Pakistan’s interest’

He said the IMF team was “most welcome” to come and the government was dealing with it on a weekly basis. “I have reassured them that our ninth review is in order and you should come and give Pakistan the $500 million funds,” he said.

Mr Dar said the IMF could “not dictate” the government. “If they don’t come, we will manage — no problem,” he said.

Pushed back on the implications of his approach, the minister acknowledged that he agreed with the potential fallout of a breakdown in IMF talks and said that was why he was talking to the body for the country’s sake.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2022