ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stated that International Monetary Fund is not being fair to Pakistan, adding that country is in “Perfect storm” of crises. Cash-strapped Pakistan is in race against time to implement measures to reach an agreement with Fund. Pakistan has already taken most of other prior actions, which included hikes in fuel and energy tariffs, withdrawal of subsidies in export and power sectors, and generating more revenues through new taxation in supplementary budget.

Bilawal said PPP supported expanding revenue collection and believed those who were well off should pay more, but added that Pakistan had been unable to achieve structural tax reform “For last 23 IMF programmes that we have been part of.” “Is it really time to nitpick about our tax policy and tax collection while we’re suffering from climate catastrophe of this scale?” Bilawal asked.

He said that IMF was stretching out talks at time when country needed money to help “Poorest of poor”. “And they’re being told that until their tax reform is not complete, we will not conclude IMF programme.” He said that Pakistan was able to navigate Covid-19, Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan as well as inflation and supply chain disruptions. But then last year’s floods devastated country, he said, calling it “Biggest, most devastating climate catastrophe that we’ve ever experienced.”

He said that Pakistan had “Very healthy economic relationship” with China that was “Also in spotlight as result of geopolitical events”. He said government was “Very grateful” to Beijing for $ 1.3bn loan announced earlier this month, especially in light of floods. He said that in order to meet country’s energy needs and to provide relief to citizens paying for expensive imported fuel government was “Looking to work with anyone, including Russia”. He added that he believed there was now space for imports from Russia within US price cap.

Talking about Pak-US ties, Bilawal said, “We are on healthy trajectory.” He pointed to talks on climate, health, technology and trade. He added that Pakistani officials had also met recently to discuss counterterrorism. According to publication, Bilawal said that Pakistan’s “Alleged influence over Taliban has always been exaggerated”.

He said Pakistan, however had always maintained importance of engaging with Taliban on terrorism and other issues, especially women’s rights to education and jobs. Bilawal said his advice to West is to engage with Taliban “Regardless of what’s going on ground”. He said that without functioning economy, there won’t be ‘space’ for Taliban to implement political decisions.

Meanwhile, Bilawal Bhutto met President of UN General Assembly Csaba Korosi in New York ahead of high-level meeting to commemorate International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

 Co-convened by General Assembly president and Bilawal meeting discussed ways and means to deal with growing Islamophobia, according to Radio Pakistan’s report. Ceremony regarding Islamophobia will be held at General Assembly Hall on Wednesday. Ceremony is being organised by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari as President of Ministerial Council of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation along with President of United Nations General Assembly.

 Two leaders also discussed upcoming UN Water Conference 2023. Foreign Minister assured UNGA President of Pakistan’s full cooperation as water is an issue of supreme importance to his country. Water conference will take place at UN Headquarters in New York from March 22.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 11 2023

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