ISLAMABAD -- The uncertainty of an election in Pakistan tends to give the markets a prolonged case of the jitters. As the country prepared to vote in 2013, the rupee fell sharply, leading Pakistan to turn to the People's Bank of China for help. After China transferred almost $600 million into the depleted coffers of the Pakistani central bank, the sell-off abated.
Fast forward five years to the eve of the national elections this summer, which ushered former cricket star Imran Khan into office. China stepped in once again, extending its currency swap agreement with Pakistan and raising its line of credit, and another pre-election sell-off of the rupee was halted.
