PAKISTAN’S Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that his country has met all the conditions set by the International Monetary Fund to qualify for a new $7 billion (£5bn) loan to help prop up its economy.

During a cabinet meeting, Mr Sharif praised his finance team and other advisers for complying with the requirements set by the IMF, which is expected to sign a formal approval to the loan on September 25, when the global lender’s board of executive directors is scheduled to meet.

Mr Sharif specially thanked China for helping Pakistan to secure the bailout, but declined to provide further details.