WASHINGTON: The IMF on Thursday approved the disbursement of US$1.386 billion to Pakistan under the Rapid Financing Instrument to address the economic impact of the coronavirus shock. “While uncertainty remains high, the near-term economic impact of COVID-19 is expected to be significant, giving rise to large fiscal and external financing needs,” the international lender said in a statement. Pakistan has recorded just over 100 deaths but experts have voiced fear that the country of 215 million people could see a rapid and devastating increase due to its shortage of medical infrastructure and crowded cities. Worried about hurting an already weak…