Majority believe Pakistan to survive without IMF loan: survey

A total of 74 percent Pakistanis believe that the country can survive without taking loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as opposed to 25 percent, who say taking loan is essential for Pakistan's survival, a survey showed Friday.

In the survey, a nationally representative sample of men and women from across the country were asked about their opinions regarding the economic condition.

Among the questions, they were asked whether or not Pakistan survives without taking loan from IMF.

The remaining one percent gave no response, according to a .

The Gilani Research Foundation survey, carried out by Gallup Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International, was carried out among a sample of 2,754 male and female in rural and urban areas of all four provinces of the country during January 2011.

To help with economic reforms in Pakistan, IMF approved a standby bailout package of 7.6 billion U.S. dollars in November 2008, which was further enhanced to 11.3 billion in August 2009.

The country received around 7.3 billion U.S. dollars in five tranches under the agreement, the last tranche of 1.13 billion received in May 2010, and the remaining amount is linked to imposition of the reformed general sales tax (RGST).

The IMF has extended the loan program for the country by nine months till September, giving opportunity to the government to implement tax reform program.

Source: Xinhua