The recent announcement by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar regarding the possibility of debt restructuring has stirred controversy and raised concerns about Pakistan’s ability to meet its financial obligations. The revelation, made prior to the post-budget press conference, surprised many as it was the first direct admission by the government of potential challenges in fulfilling debt payments.

According to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, there are no plans for debt-restructuring or write-off, and he dismissed concerns of a sovereign default. However, it remains uncertain how this will be achieved, and the government’s approach seems misplaced given the current situation. With a meager GDP growth of 0.3%, hindered exports, diminishing remittances, and a devalued currency, it is difficult to determine what strengths will be presented to potential donors. There are no tangible factors on our side to make a realistic case.

Moreover, the assertion that a country on the verge of bankruptcy will not seek debt restructuring with the Paris Club raises doubts. Many are unsure if the optimistic target of achieving a 3.5% GDP growth is feasible, considering Pakistan needs to secure at least $24 billion in the next fiscal year to avoid an imminent default. Additionally, no progress has been made in reaching an agreement with the IMF to salvage the $6.5 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme as the June 30 deadline approaches. All it takes is a renewed engagement with the IMF to signal to other donors that our ailing economy can be rescued. The million-dollar question remains: What terms will Pakistan agree to after presenting an unattainable budget?

Dar has taken a gamble by relying on the informal economic sector in the budget. Similarly, the hope that regional states will readily provide financial assistance appears unrealistic. Furthermore, his announcement of an amnesty scheme to legalize black money and a 0.6% tax on cash withdrawals has irked the IMF and may lead to increased illicit activities. If these measures are aimed at political gains, their impact on economic revival remains uncertain.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s budget speech lacked specific details on how the government plans to balance its books while increasing expenditures. Hence, it was expected that some of these important questions would be addressed during the finance minister’s post-budget press conference. This annual ritual allows the minister to defend the government’s budget proposals and respond to probing questions from journalists.

However, even before the post-budget interaction could take place, Dar sparked a new controversy during a television appearance by revealing that Pakistan was considering debt restructuring. This revelation surprised many as it was the first direct admission by the government that it may struggle to fulfill its obligations under the current circumstances. It was hoped that some of these important questions would be answered in the finance minister’s post-budget press conference, which is an annual event where the incumbent defends the government’s budget proposals and responds to journalists’ probing questions.

This revelation surprised many as it was the government’s first direct admission that it might be unable to meet its obligations under the current conditions. Not surprisingly, the question-and-answer session during the post-budget press conference was dominated by this concern. Dar clarified that Pakistan intended to approach bilateral creditors, primarily other governments that had lent to Pakistan, for debt restructuring talks. He emphasized that Pakistan was not seeking concessions or write-offs on outstanding liabilities but rather a renegotiation of repayment timeframes or restructuring of the loans. He also assured that multilateral creditors, specifically the Paris Club, would be repaid on time, as it would not be appropriate to inform them that Pakistan cannot fulfill its obligations. Importantly, he stated that he saw no need for restructuring domestic debt, alleviating one of the major concerns raised after his television appearance.

However, as several experts pointed out, it is unrealistic to expect bilateral creditors to agree to debt restructuring without the involvement of the IMF. Given Dar’s recent public stance regarding the IMF, it appears highly unlikely that the two parties are or will be on the same page in the near future. So, why did the minister suddenly raise speculation on such a sensitive topic when his own government had been insisting that everything was fine? Only he can provide an answer to that question.

Considering the number of times PML-N leaders have claimed in recent days that their party’s biggest achievement is “saving” Pakistan from default, it is bewildering to realize that their actions may have actually set the country up for even greater challenges.

If this budget is passed in its current form, it could make it even more difficult for this government or a future one to negotiate with the IMF. Combined with the speculation triggered by the debt restructuring discussion, other international creditors will not view Pakistan favorably.

The decision by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to drop the bombshell of debt restructuring has injected a new level of uncertainty into Pakistan’s economic landscape. While the minister provided some clarification during the post-budget press conference, doubts remain about the feasibility of bilateral creditors agreeing to restructure debt without the involvement of the IMF. Moreover, this sudden speculation on a sensitive topic, combined with the government’s claims of saving Pakistan from default, raises questions about the strategy and its potential consequences. If the current budget is passed without revisions, it could complicate future negotiations with the IMF and deter other international creditors. The coming months will reveal whether Pakistan can navigate these challenges and find a sustainable path to economic stability.