Pak rushes to 'Iron Brother' China as IMF keeps Shehbaz Govt waiting for funds

Adding to more trouble for cash-strapped Pakistan, the IMF has set another condition for the crucial financial bailout. The international lender has asked Pakistan to give an assurance that its balance of payments deficit is fully financed for the fiscal year ending in June. According to the IMF, this condition must be fulfilled to restart the stalled IMF bailout programme and unlock the next tranche of funding. Pakistan has informed the IMF that it has requested China to roll out its $2bn deposits for another year.