Ishaq Dar sees political hand in unrest during PIA protest

Pakistan’s finance minister was holding a press conference with IMF negotiating team chief Herald Finger after successful completion of the 10th round of review of the IMF bailout for Pakistan.

IMF agreed on Thursday to release the next $497 million tranche of the loan to Pakistan after the review.

He said the IMF was satisfied over the government steps. He said the government did not decide about cancellation of the privatization plans about any state-owned entities.

Ishaq Dar said the inflation has been reduced to 2.1 percent, which is lowest during the last twelve years.

He said all indicators of the economy are positive due to prudent policies adopted by the government.

The Finance Minister said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project will play a vital role in economic development of the country. The Finance Minister said that the government is taking steps to expand tax net to generate revenues.

He said the government is working on scores of energy projects and promised end of power loadshedding in the country by 2018.