Bilawal censures PTI govt for economic policies
PPP chairman says “representatives” of IMF currently serving on key positions in govt cannot fix economic problems
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ BBZ
LAHORE:
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has once again launched a diatribe against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) saying that the “representatives” of the International Monitory Fund (IMF) currently serving on key positions in the incumbent government cannot fix the economic problems faced by the country.
“They might be working with good intentions but they are not aware of the ground realities in the country,” he said while referring to the adviser to premier on finance and State Bank governor.
The PPP chairman who is on a visit of Lahore on Monday met with some of country’s top economists in a seminar organized by his party where he blamed the PTI government for its policies and “lack of preparedness” to resolve the economic crisis.
“There is not much difference between previous and current government’s economic policies. [Just like PML-N] PTI is running its expenditures on borrowed money whereas in reality the country’s exports are slipping, while imports are on rise,” he said. “In fact, PTI has no plan on how to take the economy forward,” he added.
He said the PTI government initially relied on the support of friendly nations but the money lent by them did not actually help the country to progress.
He observed the government’s deal struck with the IMF was not in the favour of people. “The worst thing is that they don’t know how to negotiate with the IMF.
They agreed on 41% improvements in tax collections in a quarter, which is unrealistic. This has never happened in the history of Pakistan,” he said.
“We admit that without tax collection, our country cannot progress but agreeing on such impossible goals with the IMF shows their [government] ignorance on handling the economy,” he added.
He noted that the world was moving toward documented economy and eventually Pakistan would have to follow the same pattern but simultaneously criticized the premier for his statement that it would happen in Pakistan in a year.
He recalled that the PPP had also approached the IMF but had made clear to the international money lender that the salaries and pensions of people would be increased and Benazir Income Support Programme would be launched.
The PPP scion observed that it was getting increasingly difficult for a common man to feed his family these days.
Bilawal maintained that the tax collection and increase in government revenue cannot be achieved through National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency or through Federal Board of Revenue.
He stressed on the need to continue trade with the neighbouring countries for the uplift of economy of the country.
“We cannot run our economy by closing our borders with India, Iran and Afghanistan. We have to create a win-win situation for all countries so that the region in general can progress,” he said.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has once again launched a diatribe against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) saying that the “representatives” of the International Monitory Fund (IMF) currently serving on key positions in the incumbent government cannot fix the economic problems faced by the country.
“They might be working with good intentions but they are not aware of the ground realities in the country,” he said while referring to the adviser to premier on finance and State Bank governor.
The PPP chairman who is on a visit of Lahore on Monday met with some of country’s top economists in a seminar organized by his party where he blamed the PTI government for its policies and “lack of preparedness” to resolve the economic crisis.
“There is not much difference between previous and current government’s economic policies. [Just like PML-N] PTI is running its expenditures on borrowed money whereas in reality the country’s exports are slipping, while imports are on rise,” he said. “In fact, PTI has no plan on how to take the economy forward,” he added.
He said the PTI government initially relied on the support of friendly nations but the money lent by them did not actually help the country to progress.
He observed the government’s deal struck with the IMF was not in the favour of people. “The worst thing is that they don’t know how to negotiate with the IMF.
They agreed on 41% improvements in tax collections in a quarter, which is unrealistic. This has never happened in the history of Pakistan,” he said.
“We admit that without tax collection, our country cannot progress but agreeing on such impossible goals with the IMF shows their [government] ignorance on handling the economy,” he added.
He noted that the world was moving toward documented economy and eventually Pakistan would have to follow the same pattern but simultaneously criticized the premier for his statement that it would happen in Pakistan in a year.
He recalled that the PPP had also approached the IMF but had made clear to the international money lender that the salaries and pensions of people would be increased and Benazir Income Support Programme would be launched.
The PPP scion observed that it was getting increasingly difficult for a common man to feed his family these days.
Bilawal maintained that the tax collection and increase in government revenue cannot be achieved through National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency or through Federal Board of Revenue.
He stressed on the need to continue trade with the neighbouring countries for the uplift of economy of the country.
“We cannot run our economy by closing our borders with India, Iran and Afghanistan. We have to create a win-win situation for all countries so that the region in general can progress,” he said.