Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), demanded an electoral audit on Friday, but the International Monetary Fund (IMF) dismissed his request, claiming that it had a “narrow mandate on economic issues” as an international organization.
The Washington-based lender’s representative acknowledged receipt of a letter on February 28 regarding the Fund’s involvement with Pakistan as part of the loan program, which was sent by a PTI official on Khan’s behalf.
“The IMF does not comment on domestic political events since it is an international organization with a limited mission on economic matters. The spokesman issued a statement saying, “We do, however, support the fair and peaceful resolution of all election disputes, given the significance of the institutional framework for economic stability and progress.
According to the spokesperson, the company’s relationship with Pakistan is centered on supporting the government in putting strong policies into place that will strengthen financial stability, deal with persistent issues with the economy and the underlying balance of payments, and bring about sustained and equitable growth for the good of all Pakistani citizens.
Strengthening public finances through high-quality revenue measures to increase the tax base while providing more support for the most vulnerable, reviving the energy sector, enhancing institutional governance and the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts, reforming SOEs, enhancing climate resilience, and leveling the playing field for private companies to encourage investment and job creation are all measures that the IMF listed.
According to the spokesman, the lender is eager to work with to finish the second review under the current Stand by Arrangement and assist the creation of a new medium-term economic program should the government seek it, all while keeping the aforementioned goals in mind.
An IMF official responded to the letter a few hours after Director of the global lender’s communications department Julie Kozack announced during a press briefing in Washington, DC, that the Fund is planning to send a mission to Pakistan after the formation of a new government.
She made the following statement in response to the IMF delegation’s arrival in Pakistan: “The IMF stands ready to hold a mission for the second review of the Stand-by shortly after a new cabinet is formed.”
The PTI requested last week that any future bailout negotiations take into account the political stability of the nation.
PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan said that the party maintained in its letter to the Fund that there was “widespread intervention and fraud in the counting of votes and compilation of results” during the general elections on February 8.
“In view of the policies and principles the IMF stands for, there should be no doubt that the abuse of power by a small number of holders of public office to impose their likes and dislikes on Pakistan’s populace as aforesaid, and thus to ensure their continuing personal gain, would not be promoted or upheld by the IMF,” claimed PTI.
The letter was also sent at a moment when newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif gave orders to start talks with the IMF right away for a fresh loan under the organization’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) after taking power for the second time in a row.
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