On Friday, government sources indicated Pakistan’s finance minister would not attend spring IMF and World Bank meetings in Washington due to local political upheaval.
From April 10, Minister Ishaq Dar was due to meet with top IMF officials and global creditors to get blocked cash South Asia needs to avoid a balance-of-payments catastrophe.
Islamabad has been negotiating with the IMF since early February to get $1.1 billion for a $6.5 billion rescue program approved in 2019.
Two government sources cited political upheaval for the cancellation. Dar told the English-language Express Tribune that the political instability prevented him from traveling.
Reuters received no reaction from the finance ministry.
After losing a confidence vote a year ago, former cricket star Imran Khan has challenged the administration.
Khan has led protests for a fresh election. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rejected Khan’s call, stating a general election is expected late this year.
In the latest twist, the Supreme Court ordered fast elections for two provincial assemblies, but the administration rejected the ruling.
Khan wants provincial elections now, but Sharif thinks it’s too expensive to hold them twice this year and should be held all at once.
The administration also warns two rounds of voting this year would stretch electoral security services already dealing with a growing Islamist extremist threat.
Delaying provincial elections is unlawful, according to the Supreme Court.
Authorities said that the finance secretary, the ministry’s top civil servant, and the central bank governor would likely lead Pakistan’s delegation to Washington.
