Pakistan yesterday renewed calls for financial support from friendly countries and set a deadline of November 15 to decide if it would formally approach the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF managing director, said Pakistan had already requested financial assistance and talks on a loan programme would begin in the next few days. "We have not formally requested the board of the IMF for a facility as of now," said Shaukat Tarin, the prime minister's adviser on finance and the de facto finance minister.