The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has denied reports that it has asked Pakistan to arrange an additional $8 billion for the revival of the $6.5 billion bailout package. According to the IMF’s resident representative in Pakistan, Esther Pérez Ruiz, the global lender did not demand financing from Pakistan. She added that the IMF would continue to support financial assistance from Pakistan’s stakeholders. Local media reports claimed that the IMF was seeking fresh financing from the country to back external debt repayments in the next seven months. However, Ruiz said that Pakistan’s external financing requirements have not been changed in talks with the IMF over bailout funds, and external funding requirements had not changed throughout the discussions. The IMF and Pakistan have been discussing fiscal policy measures in the review since February, aiming to resume stalled funding of $1.1 billion due in November from a $6.5 billion programme agreed in 2019. Obtaining commitments on external financing from friendly countries will be essential before the IMF approves the release of bailout funds, the lender said on Thursday.