IMF bailout package: Pakistan terms US secretary of state's remarks absurd
Abullah stated that conditioning bailout package was not a rightful act.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s acting foreign minister Abdullah Hussain on Wednesday lambasted US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over his warning to International Monetary Fund (IMF) pertaining to possible bailout to Pakistan’s new government.
Terming Pompeo’s remarks unsuitable and absurd, Abullah stated that conditioning bailout package was not a rightful act.
Abdullah apprised Pompeo that Pakistan had paid a hefty price in War on Terror (WoT) while adding that rehashing of ‘do more’ mantra would be good for nothing.
Abullah added that Islamabad enjoys close ties with Beijing and that China’s Xi considers Pakistan all-weather and time tested friend. “China is pouring billions of dollars in Pakistan under One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative. Nobody can dare to create hurdles in the path of multi-billion dollar project”, warned acting FM.
Earlier, Pompeo stated that any potential International Monetary Fund bailout for Pakistan’s new government should not provide funds to pay off Chinese lenders.
In an interview with CNBC television, Pompeo said the United States looked forward to engagement with the government of Pakistan’s expected new prime minister, Imran Khan, but said there was “no rationale” for a bailout that pays off Chinese loans to Pakistan.
