Politicking over a new IMF deal is no longer an option for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – AS political parties scramble to form a potentially weak coalition at the centre, the uncertainty unleashed by the inconclusive outcome of the Feb 8 polls is giving Pakistan’s creditors and investors the jitters. This nervousness stems from widespread doubts over the incoming government’s ability to quickly negotiate a new and larger bailout with the IMF to succeed the ongoing interim package ending soon, and adhere to tougher policy commitments under it. This is in spite of a strong political consensus within the country on the need for yet another IMF programme and wide structural reforms considered critical for […]