Owaisi slams IMF loan to Pakistan, calls it 'funding for terrorist activities against India'

NEW DELHI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday strongly condemned the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for approving a $1 billion disbursement to Pakistan under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), claiming the funds will be diverted to sponsor terrorism against India. “It is very unfortunate that the IMF has sanctioned a loan of $1 billion. I would call it a loan to the militant organisation there,” said Owaisi.“Very unfortunate that the US, Canada and Germany have kept quiet when they know that it is Pakistan which is promoting and financing terrorism in India.This money will never be used to eradicate poverty or ensure polio rates in Pakistan come down… it will be used for terrorist activities against India.” His remarks came just a day after the IMF Executive Board approved the immediate release of around USD 1 billion to Pakistan. In a statement, the global lender said the disbursement followed a successful review of Pakistan’s economic reform programme under the EFF, which aims to “build resilience and enable sustainable growth.” On Pakistan targeting civilian areas in India, Owaisi further said, "They have killed the Imam of a Masjid in firing, Sikh Gurdwara was damaged, complete houses were damaged, people were lying injured on the roads. A civil servant was assassinated in Rajouri. They are sending drones and killing common people. They have damaged hospitals in Jammu. This is what Pakistan has always been doing. This is what they will continue to do." India, meanwhile, has officially registered its protest at the IMF board, warning that such funding risks being misused for military purposes and state-sponsored terrorism. New Delhi abstained from voting and stressed that rewarding Pakistan amid rising cross-border tensions sends a dangerous signal. The IMF also approved an additional $1.4 billion under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility to help Pakistan tackle climate vulnerabilities. However, India’s finance ministry raised concerns over Pakistan's military’s continued dominance in economic matters, noting that this could undermine reform commitments.