Islamabad, June 20 (Agency) The US has agreed to help Pakistan negotiate with International Monetary Fund following the latter’s request, according to diplomatic sources. Earlier, Pakistan has sought the US’ assistance for renewing its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with the IMF as Washington, being the largest shareholder, has considerable influence over the IMF’s decision-making, according to the report. According to Dawn, Pakistan had signed a 39-month, 6 billion US dollar EFF, in July 2019, but the Fund stopped the disbursement of about $3 billion when the previous government reneged on its commitments.
Currently, Pakistan wants the IMF to not only resume disbursements, but to also expand the size and duration of the programme. On Saturday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Masood Khan met Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia Christopher Wilson to discuss expanding trade relations between the two countries and encouraging US investments in Pakistan, citing a statement, Dawn reported. The USTR’s office develops and coordinates US international trade, commodity and for directing investment policy.