Achievements of PML-N govt misrepresented: leaders

Accuse PM Imran of lying to nation about development projects

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders have accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of making false promises to the nation, saying achievements made by the former government of Nawaz Sharif have been misrepresented.

Addressing the media along with Saira Afzal Tarar and Marriyum Aurangzeb, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said, "Projects announced and worked upon by the former governments have been reintroduced with new names in the Naya Pakistan."

Iqbal said that the visa policy relief given by the PML-N had also been rebranded by the new government, adding that the "incompetence and inexperience" of the current government was causing delays in development projects while a large number of projects had been shut altogether.

Iqbal said, "Projects for all districts have been suspended. People are terrified due to the prevailing crisis of gas and electricity."

The PML-N leader said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank were fully aware of the debt profile and current account deficit of Pakistan in 2018, but they still projected 6.0% growth in its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019.



"The PML-N government curbed menace of terrorism and during its tenure, the economy grew from 3.0% to 5.8% of the GDP. In January 2018, the World Bank projected the economy of Pakistan to grow by 6.0% in 2019 and same was the projection of IMF," said the PML-N leader, adding that this year the economic growth had been forecast to slow down to 3.0% of the GDP and the reason behind it was the prevailing political crisis.

"In today's world, strength of a country is its economy," said Iqbal, adding that the World Bank and IMF had more financial data than Pakistan and they were aware of the economic situation in the country.

He claimed that the PML-N government made investment in infrastructure development and energy projects but now the hopes for better growth were dashed and the PML-N's efforts of five years were smashed.

From Karachi to Gwadar, he alleged the development projects, launched by the PML-N, were now moving at a slow pace.

"The western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has not been completed and is facing delays," he alleged, urging release of funds for the completion of the western route.



The eastern bypass project of Lahore meant to reduce traffic congestion could not be opened and similarly the Lahore-Sialkot motorway despite completion, was closed for traffic, he added.

Iqbal alleged that the gas bills of domestic consumers had increased by 80% and they were sent collective bills for two months.

"Consumers were shaken by the inflated bills of electricity and gas."

He pointed out that when the country was facing load-shedding, the PML-N brought electricity.

"We initiated projects for south Punjab. Two weeks ago we introduced a bill for creation of south Punjab province, but still the bill has not been presented in the National Assembly. We also support the demand for creation of Hazara province. PML-N and opposition will support the demand."

He said the PML-N during its tenure introduced a relaxed visa regime for promotion of tourism, claiming that the agreements for sharing financial information with Swiss government and other countries were also signed by the PML-N government.

Former health minister Tarar said, "The PML-N government initiated the project of health insurance in 34 districts across the country. The health insurance scheme was launched by the former prime minister Nawaz Sharif on December 31, 2015."

She said the PML-N government did not change the name of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and continued with the programme.

"The amount of lies told by the incumbent government in its first six months is incomparable to any former government," said Tarar.

PML-N spokesperson Aurganzeb alleged that the conference addressed by the "mealy-mouthed minister for misinformation" was full of lies, apparently referring to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.

When cabinet sessions do not speak of work and performance, she said, the minister "has no option but to tell lies".

"We demand that Imran Khan resign from his post as he is a wanted suspect in a NAB case," she said. "NAB should arrest Imran in the helicopter case and also his sister Aleema Khanum, who is working as a benami operator for assets of the prime minister.

"Imran should stay in NAB custody for 120 days and then demand resignations."