US willing to help Pakistan over IMF deal: US envoy

US willing to help Pakistan over IMF deal: US envoy

Islamabad (Web Desk): US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome has said that that Washington wants to support a deal between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“The United States is ready to cooperate with Pakistan to help on the issue,” Blome said, while speaking to journalists at an event on Tuesday.

Blome said that the IMF’s $6.5 billion bailout programme for Islamabad will take its final shape in a couple of days. He also expressed Washington’s willingness to help Islamabad with the ongoing challenge of terrorism.

Blome, who has been visiting Pakistan’s important cities recently for meetings with groups belonging to different walks of life, said there had been significant progress in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The IMF and Islamabad have been in talks over a stalled bailout package since late last year, with the country seeking a $1.1bn tranche to address its worsening balance of payments crisis that would also pave the way for friendly affluent capitals to provide assistance to overcome ongoing financial complexities.