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Pakistan averted default last summer thanks to a short term
International Monetary Fund bailout, but the program expires
next month and a new government will have to negotiate a
long-term arrangement to keep the $350 billion economy stable.
Khan and his party alleged that the polls, which did not return
a majority for any party, were rigged. Candidates backed by Khan
won the most seats, but an alliance of his rival parties has
more seats and is in a position to form the next government.
"The letter from Imran Khan we will say clearly that if the IMF
wants to talk to Pakistan, they should place conditions of an
independent audit (of the polls)," Khan's lawyer, Ali Zafar,
told reporters outside the jail where the former premier and
cricket hero is imprisoned.
Pakistan's election commission denies widespread rigging and is
hearing complaints by various applicants who allege
irregularities.
Zafar said that multilateral agencies such as the IMF and
international blocs such as the European Union can only give
financial assistance on the condition that there is good
governance and democracy, including free and fair elections.
The IMF met with political parties last year to seek assurances
of their support of key objectives and policies under the
bailout program.
(Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by YP Rajesh and Nick
Macfie)
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