PTI terms Dar’s return ‘Black Day’ for Pakistan

Zaidi says a court absconder, money launderer, fraudster has come to become finance minister

KARACHI:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Sindh President and former Federal Minister Syed Ali Haider Zaidi said on Tuesday the return of renegade Ishaq Dar via the Prime Minister's jet is a Black Day for Pakistan.

"A man absconding in court cases, a confessed money launderer and fraudster has returned to the country to become the federal finance minister replacing another alleged money launderer in Mifttah Ismail," the PTI Sindh head said.

Zaidi expressed sympathy for outgoing finance minister Miftah Ismail who returned home on Qatar Airways to make room for Dar's non-Pakistan national sons on the Prime Minister's jet.

PTI Sindh president mentioned a few properties that Dar and his family own in Dubai and challenged Dar to take him to court if it isn't true.

Zaidi also pointed out that Dar confessed during the Hudaibiya Paper Mills reference in 2000, to money laundering of $14.86 million, and opening two bank accounts under the names of Sikandar Masood Qazi and Talat Masood Qazi for Nawaz Sharif's brother. And stating that this confession was done freely without any pressure or duress.

Zaidi lashed out at the investment community for believing that Dar is some economic messiah and will get the economy on track. But the people of Pakistan know that 'Darnomics' only work for the elite fat cats while the working and middle classes suffer the most under his 'Voodoonomics'.

Read Ishaq Dar sworn in as Senator amid PTI protests

Furthermore, PTI Sindh President reminded the country that Pakistan was fined twice by the IMF because Dar as finance minister manipulated the economic figures.

PTI Sindh President in his final remarks blasted the Imported Government for governing Pakistan like the East India Company where the Crime Minister Shahbaz Sharif acts like a Viceroy for Nawaz, who's a convicted fugitive and takes decisions from London.

PTI Spokesman on Economy and Finance Muzzammil Aslam concluded the press conference by mentioning the poor state of the economy under the stewardship of PML-N and Dar.

Aslam stated that the country is waiting for Dar's first policy statement as Finance Minister to assess his priorities and economic strategy.

Earlier, Zaidi called Mrtaza Wahab out for shedding "crocodile tears" to cover up zero performance since being appointed Karachi administrator in August 2021. The residents of Karachi pay so many taxes to all government levels but receive nothing in return. PPP has ruled for the past 15 consecutive years but has not bothered to improve Karachi's physical and social infrastructure. He also taunted Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah for being afraid to compete with PTI and running away from elections.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2022.