1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
PoliticsPakistan

IMF approves $1 billion loan for Pakistan

February 3, 2022

The IMF's executive board released a stalled tranche from a $6-billion bailout package to Pakistan. It warned the South Asian country's economy remained vulnerable, not least because of the pandemic.

Labourers boil grape harvest at a grape farm to make raisins in Qilla Abdullah, Pakistan
Pakistan's crumbling economy is struggling due to rising global energy and commodities pricesImage: AFP

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday approved a $1 billion loan to Pakistan, reviving a bailout package that had been suspended due to a delay in Islamabad's compliance with the terms.

The disbursement is part of a $6-billion (€5.34 billion) bailout package secured by Pakistan in May 2019 after difficult negotiations.

The 39-month loan program — meant to help cover for major shortfalls in government coffers — is subject to regular reviews of its economic policy and growth by the IMF.

The latest tranche of the so-called Extended Fund Facility (EFF) was released after the decision by the IMF executive board at a meeting in Washington.

Pakistan's finance minister Shaukat Tarin announced the coming disbursement on Wednesday night.

It comes after Islamabad carried out new measures aimed at fiscal tightening and raising more tax revenues to meet Fund's conditions, Tarin said.

The last tranche of $500 million was released in March 2021.

Pakistan's digital economy faces grim future amid censorship

02:17

This browser does not support the video element.

Significant economic challenges remain

However, a subsequent tranche meant to be paid later in the year was held back because of the Imran Khan government's failure to implement an economic reform agenda.

With this disbursement, Pakistan has been loaned $3 billion from the total $6 billion package so far.

The development is a shot in the arm for Pakistan's crumbling economy which is struggling due to rising global energy and commodities prices. Attempts to increase tax revenues have probably only helped fuel inflation as a side-effect.

"The Pakistani economy has continued to recover despite the challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, but imbalances have widened, and risks remain elevated," the IMF said in a statement.

The executive board called for increased focus "on measures to strengthen economic productivity, investment, and private sector development, as well as to address the challenges posed by climate change."

adi/msh (AP, dpa)

Skip next section Explore more
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW