February 28, 2024

Ms. Kristalina Georgieva

Managing Director
International Monetary Fund
Washington, DC

Dear Ms. Georgieva:

This letter is being sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the instructions
and on behalf of Mr. Imran Khan, the founding Chairman of Pakistan’s largest and most
popular political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

It must be clarified at the very outset that the PTI does not wish to stand in the way of any
IMF facility to the state of Pakistan that promotes the immediate as well as the long-term
economic well-being of the country. It is clear that such facility, along with the national
commitment to bring about necessary reforms that facilitate repayment and enable the
country to stand on its own feet, can only be negotiated in the best interests of the people
of Pakistan by a duly elected government that has the trust of the people of Pakistan.

Here at PTI, we are well aware of the importance the IMF attaches to good governance,
transparency, upholding the rule of law, and curbing corrupt practices while entering into
financing arrangements with member countries. Specifically relevant in this regard is the
policy that IMF adopted in 1997 by way of the Guidance Note “The Role of the IMF in
Governance Issues” which has undergone reviews and enhancements in 2018 and 2023.
The following excerpts from the aforesaid Guidance Note are relevant:

“… the IMF needs to take a view on whether the member is

able to formulate and implement appropriate policies, this is
especially clear in the case of countries implementing economic
programs supported by the IMF from the guidelines on
conditionality1 that call on IMF management to judge that ‘the
program is consistent with the IMF’s provisions and policies
and that it will be carried out.’ As such, it is legitimate for
management to seek information about the political situation in

1
3Guidelines on Conditionality, Decision No. 6056-79/38, March 2, 1979, Selected Decisions and Selected Documents of the
International Monetary Fund, Twenty-First Issue
(Washington: International Monetary Fund, 1996), p. 99.
 member countries as an essential element in judging the
prospects for policy implementation”. (paragraph 7)

“The staff may also point out that, in an atmosphere of

widespread rumors of corrupt practices, and where the rumors
have some genuine credence, an independent audit may be
desirable to address such concerns”. (paragraph 19)

It is a well-established reality that a government without legitimate representation, when

imposed upon a country, carries no moral authority to govern, and, in particular, to carry
out taxation measures. In the last interaction held between Mr. Imran Khan and IMF
representatives in 2023, PTI had agreed to support IMF’s financing facility involving
Pakistan on the condition and reassurance of a free and fair election in the country.

In the foregoing backdrop, it is noteworthy that the general elections conducted in

Pakistan on February 8, 2024, on which public expenditure of about PKR 50 billion (or
US$ 180 million) was incurred, were subjected to widespread intervention and fraud in
the counting of votes and compilation of results. This intervention and fraud have been so
brazen that the IMF’s most important member countries including the U.S., Great Britain,
and countries forming part of the European Union have called for a full and transparent
investigation into the matter. A mission of the European Union has carried out an
examination of the general elections of February 8, 2024. The report of the said mission
must be examined by the IMF and made available to the people of Pakistan.

In view of the policies and principles the IMF stands for, there should be no doubt that
the abuse of power by a small number of holders of public office to impose their likes
and dislikes on Pakistan’s populace as aforesaid, and thus to ensure their continuing
personal gain, would not be promoted or upheld by the IMF

It is not just the PTI, but several other political parties in Pakistan, along with a number
of western governments, Commonwealth observers, local civil society organizations, and
international print and electronic media, have called for an independent probe into claims
of intervention and electoral fraud in the country on and after February 8, 2024.

These calls have, however, gone unheeded for more than two weeks now suggesting that
there is no fear of accountability or rule of law with respect to the subversion of the
exercise by the people of Pakistan of their right to elect a government. We, therefore, call
upon the IMF to give effect to the guidelines adopted by it with respect to good
governance as well as conditionalities that must be satisfied prior to the grant of a finance
facility that is to burden the people of Pakistan with further debt. An audit of at least
thirty percent of the national and provincial assemblies’ seats should be ensured, which
can be accomplished in merely two weeks.
We do not call for the IMF to adopt the role of an investigative agency. There are at least
two indigenous organizations in Pakistan namely the Free and Fair Election Network
(FAFEN) and PATTAN-Coalition38 that have proposed comprehensive methodologies
to conduct an audit of the General Elections 2024 which, with some modifications, could
be implemented locally to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Such a role by the IMF would be a great service to Pakistan and its people, and could
become the harbinger of enduring prosperity, growth, and macroeconomic stability in the
country.

We thank you.

Yours Sincerely,

Raoof Hasan
Spokesperson of Founding Chairman Imran Khan