“The IMF missions, as visiting missions of IMF staffers, are at present suspended, because of Covid, not only to Pakistan, also to other countries. The public debt, the adviser said, did not increase because of increase in tax collection and revaluation of the external public debt after appreciation of rupee. Dr Shaikh did not disclose the overall budget balance number during July-October period, whether it was in surplus or deficit. Dr Shaikh said the government measures were aimed at providing relief to people and creating jobs. However, Dr Shaikh did not tell that their profits increased largely because of reduction in interest rates.

Source: The Express Tribune November 18, 2020 05:26 UTC