IMF demands latest data of state-owned enterprises
ISLAMABAD (MNP) – As an International Monetary Fund (IMF) is currently in Islamabad for the first review of the $3 billion stand-by arrangement, the finance ministry has been asked to submit latest figures concerning the losses suffered by the state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
The demand came as the two sides held talks on a set of issues related to the Pakistan’s economy and the conditions set by the IMF for reducing fiscal deficit, sources say.
With Islamabad already meeting the demand of raising the power and gas prices, the privatisation of the loss-making SOEs remains a top agenda.
The arrival of the IMF team coincided with a weeks-long disruption of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) operations, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights, as the national flag carrier couldn’t buy fuel due to paucity of resources.
And the crisis was over only after the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) agreed to resume jet fuel supply after reaching a deal with the PIA over raising the debt limit.
