The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a $ 1 billion bailout package to Pakistan despite India’s objections. The IMF has said that Pakistan has met all the necessary economic goals, so this assistance has been given.
IMF Director Julie Kozack said in a press briefing, “Our board found that Pakistan has met all the set goals and progressed in several reforms. So the board decided to release assistance.”
The package is under the IMF Standby Arrangement Program, which started in September 2024, under which Pakistan has so far received a total of $ 2.1 billion.
India has strongly objected to the IMF move. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said that this assistance is like giving indirect financial assistance to Pakistan for terrorism. India raised this issue in the IMF board meeting and asked to reconsider the help being given to Pakistan.
IMF has given this assistance with 11 new terms, including the approval of Parliament, increase in surcharge on electricity and removal of restrictions on imports.
India has warned that Pakistan can use this help to promote cross -border terrorism, which can threaten regional and global security.
This decision of IMF may further stress India-Pakistan relations, especially when relations between the two countries are already stressful.