Business

Experts warn of ‘tough time’ ahead as Pakistan-IMF talks end without agreement

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

Pakistan and the visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission failed to arrive at a staff-level agreement after talks aimed at unlocking critical funds needed for the ailing South Asian economy concluded on Thursday with both sides agreeing to continue negotiations virtually.

The mission was in Islamabad since January 31 to sort out the differences over fiscal policy that have stalled the release of more than $1 billion from the $6.5 billion bailout package originally signed by the government of prime minister Imran Khan in 2019.

However, at the end of the 10-day “tough parleys”, Pakistan failed to strike the deal with the Fund mission. Although Secretary Finance Hamed Yaqoob Sheikh confirmed that “actions and prior actions have been agreed, but the staff level agreement will be signed subsequently.”

It should be noted that the IMF’s loan is critical for the country’s $350 billion economy as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)-held foreign exchange reserves have fallen to $2.91 billion — enough to provide an import cover of 0.58 months.

‘Atrocious’ strategy

Uzair Younus, director of the Pakistan Initiative at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Centre, while commenting on the development, told Geo.tv that the communications strategy of the [Ishaq] Dar-led Ministry of Finance has been atrocious from the very beginning.

He warned that this was “only the latest in a series of fiascos” that have destroyed the ministry’s credibility and undermined confidence in the economy.

The economic expert predicted that a bloodbath will be seen in the markets, as players earlier refrained from assuming fresh positions in the last few sessions on hopes of the revival of the stalled programme.

‘Tough days ahead’

Vaqar Ahmed, deputy executive director at Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), told Geo.tv that the MEFP shared has a broader framework which hints that in the days to come Pakistan would have to meet certain conditions.

“The Fund has rejected the gradual approach proposal of Pakistan, saying the time for this has gone and Islamabad now needs to do everything upfront,” he said, revealing that the conditions which are currently on the table incorporate all those promises made during the past reviews, including those related to energy sector, power and gas tariff, levy on diesel, and tax gaps.

The economist said that the Washington-based lender first wants to see action on all these things before it concludes the review, their board gives the approval and transfers the money.

“I believe that there are tough days ahead and the government will first have to show that they can walk the line and then probably the IMF will come through and a board level agreement will be reached,” Ahmed said, adding that he thinks all of this will take approximately one month.

‘Implementation time’

Meanwhile, former adviser to Finance Ministry Dr Khaqan Najeeb lamented that Pakistan should have inked a staff-level agreement with the IMF mission before their departure.

“Still, it is heartening to note that considerable progress has been made on the set of policy reforms that are needed to move forward to complete the review,” he said, adding that it was for authorities to undertake the prior actions, complete reading of the MEFP document received to enable a staff-level agreement.

The former adviser highlighted that dwindling reserves do not leave much option but to expedite this process already delayed since early November.

“The actions on revenue, energy, monetary and exchange rate management are quite clear along with the need to firm up commitments for external financing from bilateral and multilateral partners.

“It is implementation time for the country to address domestic and external imbalances and to regain macroeconomic stability,” he maintained.

Business

The amount of trade between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan hits $700 million.

Published

14 hours ago

Farwa

Through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Pakistan’s trade connections with Saudi Arabia have grown significantly, with bilateral trade volume rising from $546 million to $700 million and exports to the Kingdom growing by 22%.

As bilateral economic cooperation continues to grow, Saudi investors have shown a strong interest in Pakistan’s construction, energy, agricultural, and information technology sectors. The objective for exporting IT services between the two countries has been raised from $50 million to $100 million.

Saudi Arabia has set up a help desk dedicated to making it easier for Pakistani IT companies to register in the Kingdom in order to expedite commercial procedures. The goal of this program is to speed up economic collaborations between the two countries and lower administrative barriers.

The well-known Saudi restaurant chain AlBaik has revealed plans to open locations in Pakistan, which is a big step for the food service industry and should lead to the creation of new job possibilities in the area.

Officials have noted that stronger business links between the two countries lead to greater economic stability, and the SIFC has played a crucial role in promoting these trade advancements. For bilateral trade and investment projects, the Council remains a crucial facilitator.

According to a trade official with knowledge of the developments, “the establishment of dedicated support mechanisms, such as the help desk for IT companies, demonstrates a commitment to long-term economic partnership,” The goal of these programs is to improve the conditions for commercial collaboration between the two nations.

The increasing amount of trade and the diversity of investment sectors show that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan’s economic ties are changing as both countries seek to deepen their business alliances in a number of industries.

Business

After more than 50 years, Bangladesh and Pakistan resume direct trade.

Published

14 hours ago

Farwa

After more than 50 years, the two governments will resume direct bilateral trade, with Bangladesh’s food ministry announcing Sunday that it will receive a supply of 25,000 tonnes of rice from Pakistan next month.

After former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was overthrown last August, relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan have begun to improve after decades of tense relations.

Since then, there have been increased bilateral interactions between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the interim government’s senior adviser, has met twice with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to the food ministry, Dhaka completed an agreement earlier this month to import grains from Pakistan.

“On March 3, the first shipment of 25,000 tonnes will reach Bangladesh,” Zia Uddin Ahmed, a ministry assistant secretary, told Arab News.

“This is the first time that Bangladesh has started importing rice from Pakistan at the government-to-government level since 1971.”

Following direct maritime contact between the two South Asian countries in November—a Pakistani cargo ship stopped in Bangladesh for the first time since 1971 with imports and exports arranged by private companies—their trade relations grew.

Resuming trade with Pakistan is a significant step for Bangladesh, according to Amena Mohsin, a lecturer at North South University and a specialist in international relations.

“We want to see progress in our bilateral relationship with Pakistan. Most significantly, we are currently going through a low point dispute with India, even though we constantly diversify our partnerships.

This most recent move to purchase rice from Pakistan is really significant in this context,” she told Arab News.

Business

The total amount of Pakistan’s liquid foreign reserves is $15.95 billion.

Published

3 days ago

Farwa

As of February 14, Pakistan’s total liquid foreign reserves were $15,947.9 million, with the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) holdings being $11,201.5 million.

Official figures for the week ending February 14, 2025, show that the central bank’s liquid foreign exchange reserves rose by $35 million to $11,201.5 million.

Commercial banks maintained net foreign reserves of $4,746.4 million during the period under review, according to the breakdown of foreign reserves.

The nation’s total liquid foreign reserves as of the week ending February 07, 2025, were $15,862.6 million.

Of these, the central bank held $11,166.6 million in foreign reserves, while commercial banks kept $4,696 million in net reserves.