Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has issued a denial of information published by US-based non-profit online news organisation The Intercept about an alleged deal between Islamabad and Washington to supply ammunition to Kiev in exchange for assistance in renewing an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“There have been successful negotiations between Pakistan and the IMF on an IMF standby arrangement for Pakistan for difficult but necessary reforms. Giving any other colour to these negotiations is a manifestation of insincerity,” Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters.
According to her, Pakistan adheres to the policy of strict neutrality in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and in this context does not supply any arms and ammunition to either side.
“Pakistan’s defence exports are always accompanied by strict end-use requirements,” the Islamic republic’s foreign ministry spokeswoman pointed out.
On 17 September, US-based news portal The Intercept published an article stating that the United States facilitated a $3 billion agreement between Pakistan and the IMF.The assistance was allegedly in response to secret deals between Washington and Islamabad to sell arms to Ukraine. The Intercept claims that Islamabad transferred at least $900m worth of ammunition to Kiev.