Imran writes to IMF, urges poll audit before loan

ISLAMABAD:

Stirring the political pot on the contentious Feb 8 general elections, PTI founder Imran Khan on Friday confirmed that he had penned a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), urging the global lender to give the poll results a thorough once-over before cutting any new cheques for Islamabad.

Speaking to the media after attending a hearing on the £190 million reference at the Adiala Jail, Imran raised alarms about the potential consequences of obtaining a loan under the current circumstances.

"If the country gets a loan in such a situation, then who will return it?" he questioned, expressing concerns that such a loan could lead to increase in poverty.

The former prime minister warned that without substantial investment in the country, the burden of loans would continue to rise, underscoring the need for political stability.

He alleged that the institutions were compromised to ensure the selection of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, causing harm to various organisations, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Accusing the election process of being rigged in favour of Nawaz, Imran claimed that he had been unfairly subjected to allegations.
He pointed to the Rawalpindi commissioner, who had initially revealed poll rigging but later retracted, alleging that the former official was "picked up and tortured".

Imran added, "A Vigo came and picked him up. Now his software has been updated."

Imran’s announcement about the letter follows a statement by PTI Senator Ali Zafar the previous day, revealing the party founder's decision to write to the IMF, urging an audit of the Feb 8 elections before proceeding with talks for a new loan programme with Islamabad.

Despite Imran's efforts, it remains uncertain whether the letter will yield the desired results, as the IMF, on Friday, expressed willingness to work with the new Pakistani government while ignoring his demand.

Read Gohar warns of IMF programme risk sans Form-45-verified poll results

Earlier in the day, shortly before Imran’s statement, Zafar clarified that the country should continue to engage with the IMF.
Senator Zafar said that the engagement with the IMF should continue to "ensure financial discipline, good governance, and economic stability which is critical for the prosperity of the people of Pakistan".

He said that Pakistan will always remained a top priority for the party.

Zafar stated that the PTI will endorse all the initiatives aligning with the "benefit of the country and national interest".

Further, the party leader maintained that the PTI remained steadfast in its "struggle for democracy" and "will continue to raise its voice at all forums and expect the international community’s support".

Zafar, speaking to the media outside the Adiala jail later in the day, said the PTI founder maintained that the IMF programme should continue for the country.

He quoted Imran as saying that the party supremo said that the need was to better the economy.

"The PTI founder has said that there is a need for political and economic stability and we will raise our voice for democracy on every forum possible," Zafar said quoting Imran.

‘National security jeopardised’

However, the party has faced backlash over the letter’s timing as the country is embroiled in a severe economic crisis, and the upcoming government is already eying a new IMF programme.

Experts believed that writing such a letter was a terrible idea as it would not have any value but would lead to burning political capital and creating more rifts between the PTI and the powerful stakeholders.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Ishaq Dar alleged that Imran had jeopardised national security by penning a letter to the IMF for personal gain.

The former finance minister dismissed the importance of the letter, stating that it carried no weight.

He said that if the PTI founder had penned anything contrary to the national interest of the country, it was worthy of condemnation.
In his media statement outside the Punjab Assembly, Dar expressed his views, asserting that crafting content for personal gain was disgraceful and that the letter from the PTI founder held no significance.

Meanwhile, in defence of the decision, PTI leader Barrister Gohar Khan stated that letters to the IMF were not unprecedented, having been sent before and will be written again today.

He clarified that the current letter would not pose any threat to the country's economy, security, or democracy.
Addressing the media outside the Adiala Jail, Gohar added that he had a meeting with Imran in jail. The hearing for Al-Qadir Trust case took place, with the charge frame set for Feb 27.

He criticised the court proceedings, alleging that the trial was illegal and unconstitutional. Barrister Gohar also claimed that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the incumbent caretaker set-up failed in conducting fair elections.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the media's restricted access to the court proceedings, he emphasised that the PTI's stance was against the alleged incorrectness of Form-47, insisting that Form-45 was accurate.

Further, he asserted that the PTI, as a parliamentary participant, has actively contributed to the improvement of the country's economy, legal system, and democracy.