Pakistan asks US for $10bn lifeline to shore up struggling economy: Report

Pakistan has asked the United States for a $10 billion exchange stabilisation facility in a bid to shore up its fragile economy, according to a source familiar with the matter, as Islamabad looks to ease pressure on its foreign exchange reserves and currency.The request, reported by Reuters, comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with the aftermath of its worst economic crisis in decades despite an ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout programme. The proposed facility, if approved, would provide a significant financial cushion for the cash-strapped country while reducing its dependence on multilateral lenders.The request also follows Pakistan's role in helping broker talks during the recent US-Iran conflict, which boosted Islamabad's diplomatic standing and fuelled expectations that it could seek stronger economic backing from Washington.Seeking a rare US financial backstopAccording to Reuters, Pakistan has asked US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to approve a Bilateral Exchange Stabilisation Support Facility worth $10…