In a recent development, it is being claimed that the United States played a crucial role behind the scenes in helping Pakistan obtain a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The recent staff-level agreement, which had been delayed for eight months, allowed the release of funds from a previous $6 billion loan obtained in 2019.
While providing support to Pakistan throughout the process, the United States also emphasized the implementation of agreed-upon reforms with the IMF, as stated by a diplomatic source.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari held multiple telephone conversations with Secretary Antony Blinken regarding this matter, and face-to-face meetings between the two leaders also addressed the issue.
The Pakistan embassy in Washington maintained regular communication with officials at the US Treasury and State Department. At the Treasury, they collaborated with Deputy Under Secretary Brent Nieman, who oversees international financial matters. Additionally, the embassy sought the support of influential US lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, who met with a Pakistani team shortly before the deal.
The breakthrough occurred in late June when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the IMF’s Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, in Paris.
During the meeting, he urged the release of the crucial tranche of $1.1 billion, which had been withheld since November.
