Finance minister says China rolls over $2 billion loan to Pakistan

Finance minister says China rolls over $2 billion loan to Pakistan
In this file photo, taken on January 3, 2018, a Pakistani currency dealer counts Chinese currency for his customer at his shop in Quetta. (AFP/File)
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Updated 29 February 2024 06:29
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Finance minister says China rolls over $2 billion loan to Pakistan

Finance minister says China rolls over $2 billion loan to Pakistan
  • The loan was due in March and has been extended by the Chinese authorities for one year
  • Securing external financing is one of the most urgent issues facing Pakistan’s next government

ISLAMABAD: China has rolled over a $2 billion loan to Pakistan, caretaker finance minister Shamshad Akhtar confirmed in a response to Reuters on Thursday.

The $2 billion loan was due in March and has been extended for one year, Geo News which first reported the news said, citing sources in the Pakistan finance ministry. Beijing had communicated the decision to Islamabad, it added.

Pakistan’s cash-strapped economy is struggling to stabilize from a financial crisis and secured a $3 billion standby arrangement from the International Monetary Fund last summer.

Pakistan’s vulnerable external position means that securing financing from multilateral and bilateral partners will be one of the most urgent issues facing the next government, ratings agency Fitch said last week.