The minister gave a statement in response to the DG ISPR’s remarks about the faltering state of the economy
ISLAMABAD: Apparently, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has still not forgotten how he was stopped by the paramilitary Rangers from entering the court premises during the accountability court hearings of his political boss, last week. The minister in retaliation gave a statement in response to the DG ISPR’s remarks about the faltering state of the economy. At the whims of his powerful ministerial status, the minister for interior, planning and development stated that the military spokesman should not comment on the state of economy. Ironically, ignoring the instances of the global community picking up on the statistics of economic growth or measures of living standards through economic indicators, the minister regards the comment of the DG ISPR as ‘irresponsible’ and detrimental to Pakistan’s global image.
Also, in a country where the military has had an upper hand over successive governments, and continues to leave its imprint on policy-making on important matters of national interest, the minister’s comment is clearly an absurd attempt to make up for his humiliation following the showdown with the Rangers. Further, when not just the public or analysts, but even the politically allied parties take jibes at the government for its poor performance, the minister should see the statement in the light of the facts and hence work towards not just improving the economy but also forging closer civil-military ties.
Inzala Younis
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2017.
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