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Govt Can’t Afford IMF’s Tough Terms: Zardari
ISLAMABAD - President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Pakistani government cannot afford the tough conditions linked to likely financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Boy howdy there's a surprise. Paks can't do anything tough, be it for their economy or their internal security.
“Time is running out and there is an urgent need for the Friends of Pakistan (forum) to extend a helping hand,” he told Adviser to the British Prime Minister Simon McDonald who met him at the President’s House on Tuesday.
Friends? Did you say you had friends?
But Pakistan wanted trade rather than just aid, Zardari said, adding the country was looking for economic opportunities and international investment.

According to a Foreign Office statement issued after the meeting, McDonald said the British prime minister had sent him to ‘assess the situation in Pakistan’.

“The British side is highly appreciative of the unanimous resolution adopted by the (Pakistani) parliament on the government’s policy towards tackling the international phenomenon of terrorism,” the statement said. “(Zardari) underscored that the war on terror, which has its roots in other regional events, had now become Pakistan’s war,” it said, “and Pakistan and its people are paying a very heavy price that needed to be acknowledged by the international community.”

Zardari also stressed the need finding out who was funding the Taleban, saying he was not convinced that drug money could be the only source.
No, really? Maybe you should check the books over at the ISI ...
But Adviser to the government of Finance Shaukat Tareen said on Tuesday that Pakistan had 12 days until it would have to ask the IMF for assistance. “If I do not get a comfortable indication (from the Friends of Pakistan forum) by November 10, there is no other option but to go to the IMF,” he told the Associated Press. “I have already pointed out that we have to hurry to secure assistance to avoid the monetary fund.”

Asked about visiting German Foreign Minister Dr Frank Walter Steinmeier remarks on timing, Tareen said: “He is saying six days, and I am saying 12 days. What is important is that we need quick assistance.”

In a meeting with Steinmeier, the President said the government would steer Pakistan out of the economic and political crises it is passing through at the moment.
Posted by: Steve White 2008-10-30
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=253971