Finance Minister Asad Umar said on Wednesday that talks are continuing with the International Monetary Fund and Pakistan is seeking aid from the friendly countries for the last time. While addressing a ceremony in Islamabad, the finance minister said that the government is working on long-term and short-term strategy. Earlier this week, Asad Umar said that the country is not solely relying on the International Monetary Fund for economic relief as it was diversifying the pool of debt. The minister said that the IMF has not placed any non-financial condition and it is just an option to revive the economy. Finance Minister Asad Umar on Wednesday said the incumbent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government is working towards an economic revival to make the country self-reliant. Addressing at the launching ceremony of annual report of Burki Institute of Public Policy in Islamabad, the Finance Minister stated that talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have been in progress. “The money bill will not burden the public but will be focused on exports, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and promotion of the industrial sector.” “We not only want to reach North and South through CPEC but also approach towards the West to achieve maximum opportunities of the socio-economic development,” he said. “Pakistan intends to be a valuable contributor to supplement the benefits of this vital project.” Published in Daily Times, January 17th 2019.