KARACHI:
Recent media reports have revealed that overseas PTI supporters tried their best to foil Pakistan’s attempts to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It seems that PTI has become the arch-enemy of the country and is impeding any sort of development or progress to steer the country out of the ongoing crises.
Last week, Pakistan finally reached the long-awaited staff-level agreement with the IMF over $3 billion of funding. The country was in desperate need of this programme as it is experiencing the worst economic crisis since independence. The sinking economy is facing tremendous external and internal pressures. Once the deal is approved by the IMF’s board, friendly countries will also be more likely to facilitate the country through loans. It is worth mentioning that it was because of the nefarious designs and flawed economic policies of the PTI that the country was driven towards bankruptcy. Diplomatically, PTI’s leadership struggled to cooperate with different countries. PTI’s catastrophic policies thrust the country into a dark alley leaving little room for the country to emerge out of it.
The incumbent Prime Minister and his economic team’s concerted efforts to reach an IMF agreement and revive the economy are praiseworthy. The PDM government assumed leadership amid a deepening socioeconomic crisis and even though it struggled, it has set a good example of sacrificing personal politics for the country’s survival and sovereignty. The only way forward is for the political leadership to work collectively and foster collaboration and integration instead of creating division and polarisation.
Sajjad Khattak
Attock
Published in The Express Tribune, July 4th, 2023.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
