Shaikh talks taxes, reforms and trade in DC

Hafeez says Pakistan can and will pay $1.2 billion in annual dues to the IMF.


Express September 27, 2011

WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh appears to be running out of excuses for the miserable state of the Pakistani economy. In a speech to the Atlantic Council, a think tank based in Washington, Shaikh outlined what he felt were the government’s achievements, a list that appeared to be a repeat of speeches he gave earlier in the year on his last visit to the US capital.

In his introductory remarks, Shaikh admitted that the power sector needed structural reforms. Electricity subsidies have cost the government over Rs1 trillion over the past four years.

The finance minister said Pakistan had budgeted and was prepared to pay the $1.2 billion due this year to the IMF. Pakistan had always paid its loans, and there was no fear of Pakistan not having the funds to repay the loans.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.

COMMENTS (7)

M.S.Abbasi | 12 years ago | Reply

My question is that, why still nobody has questioned him why FBR showed fake tax collection figures and why till today showing the figures to the international lender was not considered a crime? Why Dr. Sheikh himself does not pay taxes and why does not have courage to take the name of them who have eaten up the entire country but they are unwilling to pay a single penny in tax???

Meekal Ahmed | 12 years ago | Reply

The IMF is a "preferred creditor". They have to be paid before anyone else. Their debts cannot be deferred or re-scheduled. While there have been some counties that defaulted on IMF loans, they have been expelled from the membership.

The IMF is a credit union. If one member defaults, every member pays for it (including Pakistan) though a higher "rate of charge".

So we have very little option but to service their debts in full and on-time. To say so, is empty words.

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