Insensitive Monetary Fund? International Mujahid Fund? What exactly is the IMF? On Friday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) took a tragic decision despite stern Indian dissent. The multilateral financial lender approved $1.1 billion in its latest loan-tranche for a bankrupt Pakistan. Within hours of the approval, the rogue terror state launched a massive drone-led aerial assault against India. This has since snowballed into an all-out conflict, as India carries out punishing air strikes across the length and breadth of Pakistan, destroying air bases, aerial assets, detection radars and other military infrastructure.

The question is, upon whom does the onus of this escalation lie? Obviously, Pakistan is the primary culprit. However, Pakistan refrained from launching an all-out aerial attack, including with ballistic missiles, before the IMF approved its plea for the billion-dollar loan. However, as soon as Pakistan was assured of such capital aid, it mounted an attack across 26 sites (both civilian and military) in India.

The IMF’s decision comes under a $3 billion Stand-By Arrangement signed in July 2023. The $1.1 billion is the final tranche under this short-term bailout, aimed at stabilising Pakistan’s fragile........

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