Islamabad: The United States’ chargé d’affaires in Pakistan, Natalie A. Baker, has urged Islamabad to protect its economic sovereignty by steering clear of problematic foreign debt arrangements. In comments made informally to the media at the President’s House, she emphasized that Pakistan must “cautiously guard its economic independence.”
Baker called on the government to fully implement its planned privatization programme, and to adhere completely to the reform agenda set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She argued that such measures are critical to ensuring Pakistan’s long-term economic sustainability.
Regarding Pakistan’s ties with China, Baker said Islamabad is “a free and sovereign country” that can cooperate with any nation — but warned that projects which risk becoming debt traps are a global concern.
She added that Washington supports Pakistan’s economic stability and reiterated the importance of Pakistan’s sovereignty, calling its protection “extremely important to the US.”