Pakistan eyes bigger China swap line, expects US financing decision soon

Aurangzeb said the entire 30 billion yuan swap line from China had been fully drawn, adding that the government had yet to decide how much additional financing it would seek when the facility ​comes up for renewal.

"They were open to it, but there is a process which has to be followed," said ​Aurangzeb, referring to recent meetings with his Chinese counterpart and the State Bank of Pakistan governor. "We do ⁠plan to make a formal request at the time of the renewal.

"Meanwhile, Aurangzeb said he expected a response within two months ​to the government's request for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility from Washington, adding that the government was also in talks with the Export-Import ​Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

EXIM financing could support aircraft purchases from Boeing by Pakistan International Airlines now that the national carrier is privatised, while DFC could help fund a planned $5 billion programme to upgrade the country's oil refineries. Also Read:Jul-Aug C/A deficit stands at $543m.

Asked whether there were any ​concerns about simultaneously seeking additional support from the United States and China, Aurangzeb said it was an "and-and" discussion. "China has been a ​long-standing strategic partner for us...and we have very good at the leadership level now understanding and relationship with the Trump administration," he said.

"We are ‌very fortunate ⁠to have this kind of relationship with both important economic and superpowers. "The US Treasury, DFC and EXIM did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Asked about elevated crude oil prices following the latest Middle East conflict, which began in February, Aurangzeb said the government had navigated the initial price spike after US and Israeli strikes on Iran relatively well, but cautioned that the outlook had ​become more uncertain.

"If this conflict ​goes into, unfortunately, November or ⁠December, you know, this is something which will be an area of concern for us," he said, adding prolonged disruption could put at risk the government's 4% growth target for the fiscal ​year.

Pakistan had secured sufficient oil stocks to cover its needs through September and was well positioned ​for October, he ⁠said, adding an institutionalised mechanism was now reviewing the situation on a daily basis. Planning for November supplies was already under way.

Nonetheless, Aurangzeb said the government had no plans to seek additional IMF financing or emergency support from the Washington-based lender. "As of now, our considered ⁠view is ​that it's manageable. "An IMF mission is due next week for the fourth ​review of Pakistan's $7 billion programme and the third review of its Resilience and Sustainability Facility.

"From our perspective, we are in good stead with the quantitative benchmarks, and ​we are largely compliant with the structural benchmarks," he said.