Pakistan’s $1.4 Billion Loan Request from China Fuels Nuclear Proliferation Concerns
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Aurangzeb announced a request for a $1.4 billion loan from China, alongside plans for a 10 billion yuan Panda Bond issuance by year’s end. Simultaneously, a new IMF program under a Climate Financing model, totaling $1.3 billion, is anticipated for approval in early May, supplementing a current $7 billion program. The Minister projects 3% economic growth this fiscal year, rising to 4-5% next year and potentially 6% thereafter. However, strained relations with India are cited as negatively impacting bilateral trade.
John Q. Hosedrinker