IMF 'deeply saddened' by devastating impact of floods in Pakistan

• Despite resumption of IMF programme, Pakistan is still reeling under dollar liquidity crunch, while floods have aggravated situation.
• IMF says it will work with others in international community to support country under current programme.
• Says body will ensure sustainable policies and macroeconomic stability.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Sunday said that it was "deeply saddened" by the devastating impact of the floods in Pakistan.

"Our sympathies go to the millions of victims of the floods. We will work with others in the international community to support, under the current programme, the authorities’ relief and reconstruction efforts, and especially their ongoing endeavour to assist those affected by the floods while ensuring sustainable policies and macroeconomic stability," the global money lender's country representative Esther Perez Ruiz told Reuters.

Pakistan, despite the resumption of the IMF programme after a hiatus of seven months, is still reeling under a severe dollar liquidity crunch as the cataclysmic floods have aggravated the macroeconomic fundamentals. 

While several leaders and economists reportedly suggested that Pakistan should request the IMF for the provision of a Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) or Natural Calamity Response-related funding facility, Islamabad has not yet made any fresh request on the expectations of a lukewarm response from the Washington-based international lender.

The IMF programme under $6.5 billion was restored in late August after it was stalled in February 2022 under the previous PTI-led regime when it provided unfunded fuel and electricity subsidies.

The exchange rate has gone under immense pressure in recent days whereby the rupee nosedived 9% against the US dollar,” top official sources said while talking to The News here on Friday.

“The situation has aggravated as demand for imports has gone up manifold but the country does not have enough dollars. “Without improving dollar injections, Pakistan’s macroeconomic vulnerabilities are not going anywhere," the sources added.

— With additional input from Reuters.