Finance Minister Ishaq Dar got irked on Thursday by a journalist’s query on the possibility of a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

When APN news agency reporter Shahid Qureshi sought Dar’s response on the government’s “failure” to sign the IMF deal, Dar was annoyed and “pushed” the reporter. “What do you want,” Dar asked.

Qureshi says Dar also slapped him in the face. A sound is heard in the viral video of the incident.

The finance czar was coming out after the National Assembly where he spoke about the funds allocated for the flood-hit people and the cash-stipend prorgamme.

Pakistan desperately needs the release of stalled IMF funding to boost its economy and shore up foreign exchange reserves.

The matter was also discussed during PM Shehbaz’s meeting with IMF Managing Director Georgieva in Paris. The premier apprised her of steps taken to address Pakistan’s flailing economy and expressed hope that the funds allocated under the lender’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) would be released as soon as possible.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office today, Shehbaz outlined the steps taken by the government for economic growth and stability in his meeting with the IMF managing director.

“He underscored that all prior actions for the ninth review under the EFF had been completed and the government of Pakistan was fully committed to fulfilling its obligations as agreed with the IMF,” it said.

IMF’s Georgieva shared her institution’s perspective on the ongoing review process. The PMO added that the meeting provided a useful opportunity to take stock of the progress in that context.

Dar slapped me: reporter

The reporter who pressed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on the IMF deal claimed that Dar asked his security staff to stop him.

“When finance minister came out from the National Assembly, I was there, I as a reporter asked him why the deal is not being signed with the IMF. I have to talk about this,” the reporter said.

He reiterated that he wanted to talk about the loan programme when Dar said he had spoken in Parliament.

“When I went to ask him a question, Ishaq Dar asked his security staff to stop him. They held me from one side, Dar attacked me and slapped me,” the reporter said, “when he left while I was making a video, he asked his security staff to chase him and teach him a lesson. Those officials followed me to the second gate of Parliament. I went to the PRA and then I somehow managed to reach the press gallery.”

Conversation

Reporter: Will you talk today [Thursday] Dar Sb?

Dar: I had spoken much inside [Parliament]

Reporter: No is the IMF package being done? That our PM has gone their [Paris summit]

Reporter: Why are we failing Dar sb?

Dar: Until you people are in the system

Reporter: Sir we are not in the system. We only ask a question, sir

Then, the finance minister apparently pushed the reporter and asked him what he wants. The reporter asked why you fight sir.

The IMF funding is critical to unlock other bilateral and multilateral financing.

Islamabad has expressed its frustration over the delay. It argues it has met all the painful fiscal measures the lender requested.

The IMF, however, still has concerns over Pakistan’s external financing gap, foreign exchange market operations, and the budget presented earlier this month which it said violated the programme’s objective.

Pakistan has defended the budget, but at the same time offered to review it in any further talks with the IMF.