PML-N demands foreign loans details

Abbasi says he and his cabinet members are ready for accountability

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi offered himself and the federal cabinet he headed in the last year of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government for accountability, saying that if this was a solution to the economic problems, facing the country, then he was ready for it.

Addressing a joint press conference with senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Marriyum Aurangzeb and Ahsan Iqbal, the former prime minister urged the government to bring details of foreign loans, it was obtaining, to the parliament.

“If accountability is the solution of the economic issue, it can begin from me and my cabinet,” Abbasi told reporters. “The current situation of the country is in front of everyone. The economy is in dire straits. The PTI cannot run economy through tweets,” he added.



However, he asked Prime Minister Khan to seek details of assets from his own ministers. "The prime minister must ask from his ministers the same questions he has been asking from Nawaz Sharif," the Abbasi said. "Economy will not improve by giving lectures and placing blames." He warned the PTI of strong response if the PML-N was blamed for anything.

Criticising the mini-budget presented last week, Abbasi said some members could not understand the speech of Finance Minister Asad Umar. He demanded of the government to bring details of foreign loans in the parliament. “There is no debate on the budget. Not even for a single minute.”



He lamented that there was not merit in the country under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. “it there was merit, Usman Buzdar would not have been the chief minister of Punjab,” he said. "[Prime Minister] Imran Khan and Usman Buzdar must prove by their actions that they are the followers of the Madina state," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal said the opposition did not want to topple the government rather it would support government's public welfare projects such as provision of jobs and homes to the poor. He added the PML-N would support the government on establishing South Punjab province.

Iqbal siad that the government was ignorant of the ground realities. "There is no foreign investment, hundreds of thousands of people have been rendered unemployed. Yet the government is diverting all its attention on confrontation with the opposition," he added. "This government wasted our efforts of five years."