Sources privy to the matter said that the army chief has discussed the International Monetary Fund loan programme with the authorities of both countries.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have reportedly assured the army chief of full cooperation in this regard.

A few days earlier, Nikkei Asia reported that Gen Bajwa had appealed to the United States to help Islamabad secure an early dispersal of $1.2 billion in funds under the IMF programme to avert the risk of debt default.

Gen Bajwa requested the White House to urge the international lender to expedite the bailout process and immediately release the funds that Pakistan expects to receive under the resumed loan programme to get the country out of the economic crisis.

Pakistan and the IMF reached a staff-level agreement over the release of the combined 7th & 8th tranche to support the country’s deteriorating economy.

Meanwhile, the IMF in a statement said that Pakistan had completed the last precondition for the combined seventh and eighth reviews.