PM Shehbaz hopeful agreement with IMF will be reached

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is hopeful that an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be reached for the ninth review of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility.

The IMF delegation will visit Islamabad from January 31 to February 9 to continue discussions regarding the ninth review of the EFF.

While addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Green Line Express Train Service here on Friday, PM Shehbaz said: “I am hopeful that we will reach an agreement with the IMF this month and we will come out of these difficulties.”

The country’s foreign exchange reserves have shrunk alarmingly and in view of that, the PM said, the government has made a list of essential items that need to imported including food and medicines.

While lamenting the fact that Pakistan has to rely on others to run its affairs, Shehbaz Sharif said that the road to recovery was difficult but not impossible. “We will have to work hard to come out of this situation,” he said.

He expressed the confidence that with dedication and commitment, the country will soon regain its glory.

Regarding the Green Line Express Train Service, Shehbaz Sharif said that the foundation laying ceremony of the project was held during his brother Nawaz Sharif’s tenure as the prime minister but like other projects, “this one also failed to take life”.

The PM also backed the idea of outsourcing Pakistan Railways to make it better equipped and at par with contemporary services.

Shehbaz Sharif visited the various coaches of the Green Line Train and appreciated the services to be provided to the travellers.

Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also spoke on the occasion.