PM Khan meets IMF chief in Dubai

DUBAI: Prime Minister Imran Khan met with International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde here on Sunday.

The prime minister met the IMF chief on the sidelines of the World Government Summit. Finance Minister Asad Umar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Adviser to PM on Commerce, Textile and Industry Abdul Razak Dawood were also present during the meeting.

The premier appreciated IMF’s support to Pakistan and shared his vision for nation-building and reiterated the government’s commitment for undertaking structural and governance reforms and strengthening social protection in the country.

The IMF chief acknowledged the steps taken so far by the Pakistani government for stabilising the economy. She said the IMF will remain engaged in supporting Pakistan in sustaining its economic recovery.

The two sides agreed to work together on policy priorities and reforms aimed at reducing imbalances and laying the foundations of a job creating growth path in Pakistan. In this regard, deliberations between Pakistani authorities and IMF staff will continue to finalize an agreement on the contours of a program.

In a statement after the meeting, Lagarde said that she had a good and constructive meeting with PM Khan during which they discussed recent economic developments and prospects for Pakistan in the context of ongoing discussions toward an IMF-supported program.

She said that she reiterated that the IMF stood ready to support Pakistan. She also highlighted that decisive policies and a strong package of economic reforms would enable Pakistan to restore the resilience of its economy and lay the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth.