Media reports regarding 45 percent increase in foreign loans completely incorrect.

ISLAMABAD -- Media reports regarding 45% increase in foreign loans in 5-months period are completely incorrect and misleading. The key facts are as follows:

During first five-months of current fiscal year (July-November, 2020), the government received gross external inflows of US$4.5 billion as against the annual budgeted estimate of US$ 14.37 billion.

During this period, the government paid back US$ 2.9 billion on account of external public debt and its servicing. Thus, net inflow was US$1.6 billion. Budgeted estimate of external debt payment and...