IMF concerned over rising inflation, fiscal deficit in Pak

April 18th, 2011 - 2:29 pm ICT by ANI  

Islamabad, Apr 18(ANI): The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reportedly expressed concern over rising inflation in Pakistan and growing uncertainties over keeping fiscal deficit within a 5.5 per cent target set by the federal government last month.

According to the Dawn, the IMF has conveyed its concern to the government over the twin risks through its resident mission in Islamabad.

The IMF believes that 5.5 per cent or higher fiscal deficit was ’simply not sustainable’ in the given economic conditions.

“The fiscal deficit of 5.5 per cent per se was not bad provided the economy maintains a growth rate of more than six per cent, but it was unsustainable when GDP is growing at a nominal rate,” the IMF is reported to have told the Pakistan Finance Ministry.

The gap would need to be bridged through additional borrowing, triggering more inflation, also contributed by international commodity prices, particularly of oil. (ANI)

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