ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has clarified that a call between Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took place on the request of the Shehbaz Sharif, busting the propaganda of Islamabad as it continues to do politics despite nearing default.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO), PM Shehbaz Sharif had claimed that “the IMF managing director called premier Shehbaz on the phone.” During the speech, he claimed that that the Fund’s managing director had contacted him.
Pakistan’s State TV too had tweeted the same content on social media.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کو آئی ایم ایف کی منیجنگ ڈائریکٹر کرسٹالینا جارجیوا کا ٹیلیفون ۔۔۔سیلاب سے ہونے والے جانی و مالی نقصانات پر گہری تشویش کا اظہار ۔۔۔مشکل گھڑی میں پاکستان کی مدد کا اعادہ ۔۔۔
1/2@CMShehbaz pic.twitter.com/B1bzohDAbi— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) January 6, 2023
And on Saturday, PM Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter and said “in a phone call with Managing Director of the IMF yesterday, I told her about the government’s resolve to complete the terms of IMF’s program. I also explained Pakistan’s economic difficulties especially after the devastating floods. IMF delegation will come to Pakistan soon.”
In a phone call with Managing Director of the IMF yesterday, I told her about the government's resolve to complete the terms of IMF's program. I also explained Pakistan's economic difficulties especially after the devastating floods. IMF delegation will come to Pakistan soon.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 7, 2023
The stunts by PM Shehbaz-led government came amid reports that State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves dropped to only $4.5 billion after the repayment of loans worth $1.2 billion to United Arab Emirates (UAE) banks, leaving the country with an import cover of only under a month, as Pakistan tries to curb imports amid dollar crunch.
In response to this claim, IMF representative Esther Perez confirmed to Islamabad-based media that the call took place in response to a request by the Prime Minister of Pakistan to discuss the International Conference on resilient Pakistan.”
Reacting on the IMF denial, Fawad Chaudhry said “Problem is lying is part of daily routine of PM & Co, and they are not even ashamed of that.”
Problem is lying is a part of daily routine of PM&Co they are not even ashamed of that… https://t.co/D24WkeY2JO
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) January 8, 2023
