Ishaq Dar rejects rumours, says ‘no risk of default’

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has rejected the rumours and said that Pakistan is not facing the default risk, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar criticised that spreading rumours are not in national interests. He clarified that Pakistan is not facing default risk. He said in a statement that meetings are part of political process, however, flexibility was not shown from the other side.

Dar said that Imran Khan is free to go out of the assemblies, however, negotiations could not be held on conditions. He admitted that political stability is important for political stability.

READ: ISHAQ DAR CALLS ON PRESIDENT ARIF ALVI TO DISCUSS POLITICAL, ECONOMIC MATTERS

He added that the government will complete the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme at any cost and the country is ready begin 9th review with the global lending institution.

The finance minister further said that speculations were concluded after the appointment of the new army chief. He said that spreading rumours about Pakistan’s default risk is tantamount to causing damage to the country.

Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha ruled out the possibility of imposing economic emergency and Rs800 billion of taxes over the demand of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

READ: FINANCE MINISTRY DENIES IMPOSITION OF ‘ECONOMIC EMERGENCY’ IN PAKISTAN

While talking to journalists today, Dr Aisha Ghaus Pasha said that the IMF has not demanded Pakistan impose Rs800 billion in taxes. The exchange of data is underway with the IMF.”

“The government has not planned to impose economic emergency in the country. Only speculations are being made regarding the economic emergency.”

Pasha clarified that there is no need to impose economic emergency in Pakistan. She added that Pakistan will meet all external debt repayments on time.

The state minister further said that the government is mulling over reduction in fuel consumption. She added some others countries are also working of plans to reduce fuel consumption.

Yesterday, the Finance Ministry rebutted reports of an ‘economic emergency’ being imposed in Pakistan, saying that such messages were aimed at creating uncertainty about the economic situation.