ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party wrote to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday, urging it to take note of alleged election rigging and the manipulation of the democratic system in Pakistan.
The letter, penned by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub, comes as a three-member IMF mission visits Pakistan for a Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA) under the country’s $7 billion loan program.
The assessment, running until Feb. 14, aims to evaluate vulnerabilities in six key state functions, including fiscal governance, central bank operations, financial sector oversight, market regulation, rule of law and anti-money laundering efforts.
PTI has consistently complained of widespread irregularities in last year’s national elections, claiming they were used to deprive the party of its mandate. It has also protested a systematic crackdown on its leaders and supporters, arguing that a recent constitutional amendment has weakened the judicial system, leaving them without legal recourse.
“I write to you at a crucial juncture when the IMF mission is assessing Pakistan’s economic and governance framework, with transparency and the rule of law being fundamental concerns,” Ayub said in the letter addressed to IMF country head Mahir Binici.
“In this context, enclosed is a dossier that has been submitted to the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan, detailing undeniable evidence of widespread electoral rigging in the 2024 General Elections,” he continued.
Ayub emphasized the importance of transparency for economic and political stability, asserting that his party’s concerns should be brought to the attention of international institutions monitoring governance in Pakistan.
“We trust that upholding the rule of law and democratic integrity will remain a priority in all engagements concerning Pakistan’s future,” he added, offering Binici the opportunity to meet PTI leaders for further details.
Ayub’s letter follows an unprecedented meeting between the IMF team and Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi on Feb. 11, where they discussed judicial reforms, accountability and the recent controversial restructuring of a commission responsible for recommending judges to Pakistan’s superior courts.
This is not the first time PTI has reached out to the IMF with grievances following its removal from power in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote.
Last year, Imran Khan himself wrote to the global lender, urging it to carefully review the election results before approving new financial assistance for Islamabad. Despite PTI’s concerns, Pakistan secured a $7 billion loan from the IMF in September 2024.
In 2022, an audio leak featuring PTI’s former finance minister Shaukat Tarin also surfaced, in which he advised a provincial PTI leader in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to inform the IMF that Pakistan’s government would not be able to fulfill its loan repayment commitments.
The party came under severe criticism, with its rivals accusing it of working against the economic interests of Pakistan.
Opposition party writes to IMF on ‘electoral rigging’ as mission in Pakistan to assess governance
https://arab.news/y4j5e
Opposition party writes to IMF on ‘electoral rigging’ as mission in Pakistan to assess governance
- PTI’s Omar Ayub highlights the importance of transparency for economic and political stability in the note
- He expresses hope that rule of law and democratic integrity will be a priority in IMF’s dealings with Pakistan
Pakistan, Japan discuss boosting trade, investment and cooperation in key sectors
- The Pakistani side highlighted various opportunities in sectors minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and IT sectors
- The development comes as Pakistan steps up economic diplomacy to expand trade, investment ties after emerging from a financial crisis
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan have held talks on improving bilateral trade and investment and expanding cooperation in key sectors, Pakistan’s Press Information Department said on Saturday.
Both countries held the 8th Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue and the Pakistan Business Forum in Tokyo on Friday, marking the first convening of the dialogue in the Japanese capital since Dec. 2018.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s aide on commerce Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan and Takuo Komori, Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister of economy, trade and industry, according to the PID.
The two sides exchanged views on strengthening bilateral economic relations, with a focus on improving the trade and investment environment and advancing practical cooperation.
“The Pakistani side outlined Pakistan’s economic priorities and highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as minerals and mining, agricultural and agri-food products, and information technology,” the PID said in a statement.
“The Japanese side shared perspectives on the operating environment for Japanese companies in Pakistan and discussed areas where continued engagement and follow-up could further facilitate business activity.”
Pakistan steps up economic diplomacy to expand trade ties and attract foreign capital after emerging from a prolonged financial crisis that nearly pushed it into default in mid-2023. Islamabad has since set up the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a civil-military body designed to cut red tape and provide a one-window operation for businesses, as it navigates a long path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
Pakistan and Japan established diplomatic and economic relations in 1952. Since then, Japan has been a major development partner, financing infrastructure such as roads, power plants and water systems, while extending technical assistance and yen loans.
The Pakistan–Japan Government–Business Joint Dialogue brought together senior officials and private-sector representatives from both countries, including members of the Pakistan–Japan Business Forum (PJBF) and the Japan–Pakistan Business Co-operation Committee (JPBCC).
Participants reaffirmed the importance of sustained government-to-government engagement, supported by close coordination with the private sector, to advance mutually beneficial economic cooperation between Pakistan and Japan, according to the statement.
Following the Joint Dialogue, the Pakistan Business Forum, co-organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), was held in Tokyo that was attended by Japanese and Pakistani business leaders.
The Forum featured selected sectoral presentations highlighting practical cooperation between Japanese and Pakistani partners. It included a presentation by the Trade and Investment Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo on “From Trade to Investment: Building Japan–Pakistan Joint Value Chains.”
“The Forum concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Abdul Hameed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Japan, who highlighted the importance of sustained engagement, trust-building, and long-term partnership in advancing Pakistan–Japan economic cooperation,” the PID added.
