The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday approved the release of $1.2 billion to Pakistan, providing a critical boost to the cash-strapped country as it struggles to recover from one of its worst economic crises in years. The IMF said its executive board had completed two program reviews, clearing $1 billion under its main lending facility and an additional $200 million under a climate-focused program.

With the latest tranche, Pakistan has now received about $3.3 billion since last year under the IMF bailout, which spans 37 months and requires Islamabad to meet strict reform conditions to secure each installment. Pakistan has long depended on IMF assistance and loans from “friendly nations" to manage chronic balance-of-payments pressures.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the deci

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