Pakistan struggling to seal $7bn IMF bailout for crisis-hit economy

Subsidies and shortfall in external financing lie at heart of delay, sources say

2023-09-09.IMF

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif meets with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, in Paris on June 22, 2023. © Reuters

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writer

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan is struggling to finalize a $7 billion bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund as it falls short in key specifics, observers said.

Islamabad signed a loan agreement with the Washington-based fund at the staff level in the second week of July. Deals must get an official nod from the IMF's executive board, but the agreement is not on the agenda of the board's next meeting on Friday.

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