The official claimed that the Fund response was very positive. He further stated that it is in Pakistan's interest to remain in some kind of arrangement with the Fund for economic stability and continuation of reforms in the country. The nature of arrangement whether it would be short-term medium or long term would be discussed with the IMF during their visit to Pakistan.
In reply to a question, the official also claimed that the government was in contact with major political party - Pakistan Muslim League (N) regarding arrangement with the Fund and also hinted at implementation of the difficult economic reform during the tenure of caretaker set-up to make things easier for the next government. However, he said he has no knowledge about the IMF condition that any future programme with Pakistan would be required to be signed by the President and stated that it would not make any difference who signs the programme. He also sounded optimism that the Parliament is expected to approve the tax amnesty scheme soon and the government would be able to assure the Fund in terms of sustained revenue mobilisation through registration of new taxpayers. About foreign exchange reserves, he said the government may be in a difficult but manageable situation in the last quarter of current fiscal year if the budgeted inflows were not materialised.
However, later in response to another question he added that the government wanted to have some kind of arrangement to deal with any difficult situation on account of balance of payment crisis during the period of transition of power from present government to the next government. About reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund (CSF), he expressed optimism that Pakistan would receive $600 million by next month. The official regretted that some people were against auction of 3G license and have been damaging the country's interest over their personal interest. He said the government wanted the process to be completed without any further delay for materialisation of budgeted $1 billion revenue to evade borrowing at 12 per cent interest from the market.