Pakistan's Debt to China Soars Past $69 Billion, Raising Economic Sustainability Concerns
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Pakistan owes China approximately $69 billion in debt, with $55.8 billion lent between 2013-2021. This is far higher than World Bank estimates.
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China has increasingly provided emergency rescue loans to Pakistan, with at least one per year from 2012-2021.
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Many Chinese loans are short-term but get "rolled over," effectively making them long-term debt. This masks the true debt levels.
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Chinese loans have been used to help countries like Argentina pay IMF loans, protecting China's interests.
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Pakistan's debt is raising concerns over its economic sustainability, though IMF conditions may help manage the debt burden.