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Officials in Pakistan have stated that they are confident in their ability to handle any concerns the International Monetary Fund may have about a $1.5 billion electricity subsidy that has been implemented by the country’s government.
Even though Gerry Rice, an IMF spokesman, did not directly address the IMF’s position on the subsidies, he stated that the ongoing discussions had been “constructive” in terms of ensuring that Pakistan met its key objectives of “fiscal prudence, external sector viability (and), due protection of vulnerable groups from high international energy and food prices.”