Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Pakistan struggles with inflation and IMF conditions

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Apr 2023 15:29
4 Min Read

Pakistan's government continues to struggle as it hopes to fulfill requirements and meet conditions for an alleged IMF bailout.

  • x
  • People visit a market to buy vegetables and other stuff, in Karachi, Pakistan, February 14, 2023 (AP).
    People visit a market to buy vegetables and other stuff, in Karachi, Pakistan, February 14, 2023. (AP)

As the government in Islamabad struggled to meet International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions to unlock an alleged bailout, the year-on-year inflation in Pakistan hit 35.37% in March.
 
With month-on-month inflation at 3.72%, according to government data released Saturday, the average inflation rate for 2022 was 27.26%.
 
The Pakistani economy has been exacerbated by political instability, the global energy crisis, earthquakes, and the devastating floods that submerged large portions of the country in 2022. As a result, the country requires billions of dollars of financing to service existing debt. It is also worth noting that foreign exchange reserves have also dwindled and the value of the rupee diminished.

"The way inflation is rising, I believe a famine-like situation has been simmering," said Shahida Wizarat, a Karachi-based analyst.

The country in South Asia, which is home to more than 220 million people, must implement stringent tax changes and raise energy costs if it wants to receive the following tranche of a $6.5 billion IMF loan and avoid defaulting.

According to the finance ministry, "market frictions caused by relative demand and supply gap of essential items, exchange rate depreciation, and recent upward adjustment of administered prices of petrol and diesel" are the main reasons why inflation is anticipated to remain at "elevated" levels.

Pakistan under IMF grip; conditions 'beyond imagination'

Pakistan will have to agree to the terms of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new loan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in February 2023, describing the terms and conditions as "beyond imagination".

Earlier this week, an IMF delegation visited the Asian country for the last attempt to set forward the financial agreement, which has been stalled for months.

The Pakistani government earlier opposed abiding by the IMF's strict requirements on raising taxes and slashing subsidies.

"I will not go into the details but will only say that our economic challenge is unimaginable. The conditions we will have to agree to with the IMF are beyond imagination. But we will have to agree with the conditions," Sharif stated in televised comments.

Pakistan, which is on the verge of economic collapse, has been facing a political crisis and is struggling with deteriorating social issues and security.

The country's balance of payments crisis is one of the largest problems striking Pakistan and causing major instability in the local currency rate.

Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves have fallen to $3.1 billion, as the country now stands at $100 billion in foreign debts and liabilities, and is scheduled to repay over $26 billion this fiscal year in foreign debts and bridge the country's massive current account deficit due to trade imbalance.

According to the central bank, the current foreign exchange reserves are not even enough for three weeks of imports, while Pakistanis are unable to afford basic foods due to the 48-year high inflation year-on-year.

Despite earlier talks with friendly countries on financial bailouts, Pakistan was forced to give in to the IMF terms as the country faced a very critical economic and financial state and is unable to wait for the results of the talks.

Except for basic essential medicines and food, the Asian country has halted giving letters of credit (LOCs), which resulted in a backlog of tens of cargo ships that the country can no longer pay for. 

Pakistan had previously entered dangerous territory following the ousting and assassination attempt on the highly popular former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and his accusation that it was a US-backed plan involving Sharif and other governmental figures.

In 2019, Khan negotiated a loan package from the IMF, however, he failed to meet the demands on cutting subsidies and market direct intervention, which caused the issue to be stalled.

Read more: IMF, Pakistan fail to conclude loan deal; discussions to continue

  • Pakistani economy
  • economic crisis
  • Pakistan
  • IMF

Most Read

An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli soldiers drive on their armored personnel carrier back from inside the northern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Full occupation of Gaza on the table despite military's opposition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the audience at a conference in occupied al-Quds, occupied Palestine, Sunday, July 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu blamed for sabotaging Gaza captives deal, say their families

A mine operated by Serra Verde Mining in Minacu, Goias state, Brazil, Monday, July 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

China’s mineral export ban disrupts US defense supply chain

ap
Politics

Aid allowed by 'Israel' covers only 14% of Gaza's needs: Media Office

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS