ISLAMABAD -UNS: PPP’s Saleem Mandviwalla, who was part of the party’s economic team that met International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives ahead of the finalisation of a new $3bn deal, said on Saturday the global lender’s reservation at the time of consultation was that elections should be held on time.
The IMF had held meetings with political parties in the ruling coalition, as well as the opposition PTI, before its executive board approved a $3bn Standby Arrangement earlier this month — a bailout package deemed crucial to support the country’s ailing economy — just as a previous one expired.
The consultations were held to seek assurances from political parties about the implementation of the new lender-supported programme that will span three governments.
Meanwhile, reports said PTI chief Imran Khan had sought a guarantee for elections to be held on time during the meeting with the IMF.
When asked about the consultations today during DawnNews programme ‘Doosra Rukh’, Mandviwalla said, “They (IMF) had just one reservation — that elections should be held on time.”
To a question about the Fund having reservations regarding the caretaker setup that would take over the country’s reign after the dissolution of the National Assembly, the PPP senator replied in the negative.
He was of the view that “we are responsible for relations going sour with the IMF”.
“Five finance ministers came and all of them blamed each other. The IMF feels that although the government agrees to its terms, but political parties begin a blame game.
“So they (IMF) have basically taken a commitment from all political parties that they will follow the Fund’s programme … They have taken a commitment from us and we have given them a commitment,” he said.
He said the Fund conveyed to political parties during the meetings that “you are a sovereign country and you have to follow what you agree to”.
Mandviwalla’s remarks have come as political parties prepare for general elections with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif having announced the the assemblies would be dissolved in August.
