Shaikh talks taxes, reforms and trade in DC

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

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 27^th, 2011.