ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Ishaq Dar has asked for greater policy support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and multilateral donors in the backdrop of the climate-induced catastrophe and losses suffered by the country.

The minister was addressing a meeting of MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan), Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors with the Managing Director IMF Kristalina Georgieva in Washington DC.

He urged IMF to tailor its response in view of the situation in Pakistan and similar countries by taking into consideration the serious economic, social and political challenges that these countries are facing in the backdrop of climate-induced calamities.

He highlighted the humanitarian catastrophe and losses suffered by the country. Given the scale of the disaster, he pleaded for more policy support for Pakistan.

He welcomed IMF initiatives such as Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) and Food Shock Window under Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) to support countries.

He also thanked MD IMF for her sentiments and commitment to complete the Fund program despite challenges, according to a press statement received here Sunday.

On the occasion, IMF Managing Director highlighted challenges faced by regional economies including climate change events citing Pakistan’s damaging floods. She expressed her deep sympathies with Pakistan and assured Fund’s full support.

Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Jameel Ahmed met Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on the sidelines of the annual meetings of IMF-WB to discuss financial inclusion and banking on equality. The two sides reiterated their commitment to work together in order to achieve progress at a great pace in the mentioned subjects.