Pak cannot afford IMF's tough conditions: Zardari

Islamabad, Oct 29: "Pakistan government cannot afford the 'tough conditions' linked to the financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund(IMF)", said President Asif Ali Zardari. "Time is running out and there is an urgent need for the Friends of Pakistan [forum] to extend a helping hand," the Daily Times quoted Zardari as telling Adviser to the British Prime Minister Simon McDonald who met him at the President's House on Wednesday, Oct 29 evening.

Zardari added that the country was looking for economic opportunities and international investment. After the meeting, McDonald said that 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," said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.

It said: "Zardari underscored that the war on terror, which has its roots in other regional events, had now become Pakistan's war. And, Pakistan and its people are paying a very heavy price that needed to be acknowledged by the international community."

ANI