PM expresses gratitude to ‘friendly nation’ for assistance before IMF deal finalised

ISLAMABAD, FEB 24: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed gratitude to a “friendly nation” for providing assistance to Pakistan before the finalisation of negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a loan programme. The prime minister made the comments while addressing an apex committee meeting in Islamabad regarding the National Action Plan (NAP) and National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta). The meeting comes as terrorism in Pakistan has been rearing its head again. He said today’s meeting was regarding the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), adding that it had become a “dormant institution”. The prime minister said that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund would soon be successful but economic difficulty would still persist in the form of stringent conditions by the Fund.