Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed stated that Bangladesh is prepared to draft its budget independently if the IMF does not release its loan installment. He emphasized that the country is no longer dependent on the IMF or World Bank and cannot fully comply with IMF demands, such as letting the foreign exchange rate float freely. Doing so, he warned, could lead to volatility similar to Pakistan or Sri Lanka. He clarified that discussions are ongoing, and even without IMF funding, the country’s reserves remain stable.