The International Monetary Fund (IMF) new mission chief Ernesto Ramírez Rigo is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday (today) for courtesy and introductory meetings with Pakistani authorities. Teresa Daban Sanchez IMF Resident Representative while responding to Business Recorder query categorically stated that the mission will not be arriving tomorrow however the new mission chief will make a brief visit to Pakistan for courtesy and introductory meetings.

Gerry Rice, Director Communication Department IMF stated on Friday 22 March that there will be a mission to Pakistan shortly, though the exact date is not fixed. Rice in response to a question on the amount of IMF financial assistance to Pakistan said, "The number is not there", adding "That is something that will be discussed in the context of the consultations with the authorities".

Finance Minister Asad Umar had stated on 15 March 2019 that the mission chief would be arriving on the 26 March which subsequently led to intense speculation that the visit would be the start of negotiations on a new bail out package.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019