While speaking at the inauguration of Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) in Islamabad, the premier also confirmed a story of The Express Tribune that he had a telephonic conversation with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday. The premier’s direct intervention in the IMF programme talks suggests that the matters have slipped out of the hands of the finance ministry. The prime minister also disclosed that Georgieva inquired whether or not China and Saudi Arabia were supporting Pakistan. An official handout released by the PM’s Office after his speech read that the IMF managing director called premier Shehbaz on the phone. Sources said as a practice, in absence of the managing director, the first deputy MD of the IMF chaired the board's meetings.
