ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh on Saturday said that the government was not hiding any figures or facts about the budget.

“We are not hiding anything. We have put forth all details, including our shortcomings and successes,” he said in response to a volley of questions by media persons at the post-budget press conference.

“Our aim is to push the country forward and lead to economic stability. But, the people, who owe the responsibility, have to be careful in their remarks on certain issue,” he said answering a question regarding dealing with the IMF and payments under the CSF and Kerry-Lugar Bill.

But, he said, the nation should be content that the government did not borrow any money from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since May 2010. Rather, we have paid IMF back US$ 1.2 billion during last year, he added.

“Kerry-Lugar Bill is a package and it can be discussed at another press conference. While the CSF is one aspect of our relations with the United States and I do not want to go into its details at this moment,” the minister replied to queries.

He said Pakistan remained in contact with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the IMF and 'there is nothing conspicuous to discuss about these contacts.'

Answering another question regarding payment of pension to retired persons from forces in the names of civilians, the minister said, “it is the budget for Pakistan and the personnel of armed forces are also Pakistanis. Information and statistics about payment of pension is open information and its details can be obtained from the Secretary Finance.”