Pakistan’s government is in a precarious financial position, prompting it to investigate various financing options to meet its rising expenditures. Obtaining bailout packages from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is one of the primary funding sources under consideration. This imperative need for external financial assistance is a result of the government’s inability to balance its expenses with its available funds.
The government is contemplating borrowing from domestic commercial banks over the next three months in order to close its budget deficit. However, this strategy has substantial implications for the nation’s financial system. When the central bank borrows money from domestic commercial banks, the liquidity of the banking system is reduced. This can help achieve policy goals such as stabilizing the financial system and containing inflation, but it also reduces the funds available for commercial banks to lend, thereby limiting the money supply.
This borrowing also affects short-term interest rates, particularly if the central bank uses Repos to obtain funds. The increased demand for funds by the central bank raises interest rates on the interbank lending market, influencing the overall environment of interest rates.
In addition, when the central bank competes with other debtors on the credit market, private sector borrowers may face higher interest rates. This increased cost of borrowing can make it more difficult for individuals and businesses to obtain credit, limiting their capacity to invest and grow. This situation illustrates the phenomenon of the central bank “crowding out” private sector investment.
Typically used to finance government deficits and expenditure, borrowing from the central bank exacerbates the government’s debt burden. This elevated debt level raises concerns about the country’s long-term financial viability.
In addition, if the borrowed funds are intended for currency stabilization, the central bank may have to use its foreign reserves to repay the debt. This exacerbates the already volatile exchange rate, leading to further currency depreciation and depletion of foreign reserves.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the central bank of Pakistan, has been criticized for its contradictory policy decisions. While the government has enacted wage increases that may contribute to inflation, the SBP has raised interest rates to combat the problem. This raises doubts about the central bank’s ability to conduct monetary policy effectively while assuring its ability to repay its obligations, thereby potentially jeopardizing its primary mandate of maintaining economic and pricing stability.
The central bank’s borrowing can influence market perceptions. If the market interprets central bank borrowing as a sign of financial negligence and duress, it can erode confidence in the nation’s financial system as a whole, including the central bank.
In addition to domestic financing, Pakistan is contemplating obtaining assistance from external sources such as the IMF. However, this strategy presents its own set of obstacles. Pakistan confronts sovereign risk, and the decision to seek a bailout package frequently reflects the possibility of a sovereign default.
The efficacy of pursuing assistance from external sources, such as the IMF, is a matter of debate. Some contend that IMF assistance programs can effectively address inflation and balance of payments crises. However, the effectiveness of such bundles is contingent on a number of factors, such as political stability, the severity of debt, and macroeconomic performance.
In addition, borrowing from external sources can have a negative effect on a nation’s creditworthiness, making future borrowing more difficult. The effect of credit access on inflation depends on how borrowed funds are utilized. If the objective is to stabilize the economy, borrowing can be beneficial. Nevertheless, if the funds are utilized inefficiently, inflation can be exacerbated, especially if there is no corresponding increase in productive capacity.
Borrowing from both domestic banks and foreign sources raises debt sustainability concerns. A significant portion of the budget may be allocated to debt service, which could force out spending on essential areas such as infrastructure and services.
Pakistan’s decision to borrow from both domestic and external sources highlights the challenges faced by its economy. Borrowing can provide transient relief, but it comes with significant risks, such as inflation, debt burden, and diminished fiscal space for essential investments.
It is crucial to strike a balance between the need for financial assistance and the potential perils of excessive indebtedness. In addition, confronting the fundamental causes of Pakistan’s economic challenges, such as enhancing fiscal discipline, boosting tax collection from the affluent, and promoting economic growth, remains crucial for the country’s long-term stability and prosperity.
Recent protests in Pakistan against rising costs resulting from IMF demands serve as a reminder of the intricate economic and political forces at play. While taxing the affluent is a valid objective, the IMF should also take into account the unique challenges encountered by countries like Pakistan and play a more constructive role in providing financial aid and policy advice that correlates with the country’s needs and capabilities.
