KARACHI: The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) loan program is not linked with provincial or general elections in Pakistan, the IMF country representative said on Friday, amid a financial crunch in the South Asian country.

The statement came after the Pakistani finance ministry informed the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) that the country was facing a severe economic crisis and the government did not have enough funds to separately hold elections in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces as per the Supreme Court’s directives.

Earlier this week, the election commission also decided to defer the Punjab provincial elections by more than five months, citing financial and security constraints.

However, IMF resident representative Esther Perez Ruiz said decisions regarding the constitutionality, feasibility, and timing of the provincial and general elections “rest solely with Pakistan’s institutions.”

“There is no requirement under Pakistan’s EFF-supported program which could interfere with Pakistan ability to undertake constitutional activities,” she told Arab News.

“Targets under IMF-supported programs are set at the aggregate general government level and within these there is fiscal space to allocate or reprioritize spending and/or raise additional revenues to ensure constitutional activities can take place as required.”

Pakistan is desperately awaiting a $1.2 billion bailout tranche from the IMF as part of the $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) it secured in 2019.

The 9th review of the country’s loan program has been pending since late last year.

The release of IMF funds will offer some relief to the South Asian country reeling from a dollar crunch, which has raised fears for the economy slipping into a recession ahead of the elections this year.

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and allies dissolved the provincial assemblies of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces in January to mount pressure on the government to hold snap national polls across the country. The two regions account for more than half of the country’s 220 million population.

Under the Pakistani law, fresh polls for the two provincial assemblies should be held within 90 days of their dissolution and Khan’s PTI was gambling on the national government being unable to afford to hold the provincial elections separately from a national election, which is otherwise due by October.

Earlier this month, in a landmark ruling, Pakistan’s top court also said general elections in the two provinces should be held within 90 days. President Dr. Arif Alvi subsequently announced April 30 as the date for Punjab Assembly elections after much political wrangling and consultations in recent weeks.

Khan’s party has announced challenging in the Supreme Court the ECP’s decision to postpone the polls.

SHARJAH: Pakistan skipper Shadab Khan vowed his new-look side will put up a good fight against a formidable Afghanistan side in the three-match Twenty20 International series starting in Sharjah on Friday.

Shadab replaced Babar Azam for the series as Pakistan decided to rest their regular skipper along with seniors Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

Instead, Pakistan have drafted in top performers from its domestic T20 league — the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

“It is a great honor for me to be leading Pakistan,” Shadab said on Thursday. “As a player this is the highest you can go in your career.

“I am very excited for the upcoming three T20Is. We have a brilliant mix of youth and experience, which makes us a well-balanced side, and we have what it takes to win this series.”

Shadab previously led Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in New Zealand when Azam was injured, losing 2-1.

Batters Saim Ayub and Tayyab Tahir, and fast bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan are all uncapped while Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Azam Khan and Abdullah Shafique have earned recalls.

Afghanistan have also recalled former skipper Mohammad Nabi after leaving him out of the three-match T20 series against United Arab Emirates that they won 2-1 last month.

Wily leg-spinner Rashid Khan will lead the Afghanistan side, having replaced Nabi last year.

Shadab said Afghanistan were a dangerous side “and they have some good T20 players in their side but I am very confident with the players that I have in my squad.”

Pakistan have beaten Afghanistan in all three previous T20Is — a one-off match in 2013 in Sharjah, T20 World Cup 2021 and Asia Cup last year.

Pakistan agreed to play the series, the first bilateral between the two countries, in place of three one-day internationals that Afghanistan were supposed to play against Australia this month.

Cricket Australia pulled out of that series following an announcement from Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban that it was banning university education for girls and not forming a women’s cricket team.

Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Khan hoped fans will enjoy a good series.

“Both nations have passionate fans who support their teams with enthusiasm and pride,” said Naseeb.

“As neighbors, we have a special bond and we hope to showcase not only our cricketing skills but also the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.”