Not in favour of ‘political revenge’ against Tarin

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday responded to the cases lodged against former finance minister Shaukat Tarin, saying that he was not in favour of “political revenge” because if anyone had committed a crime, it should be investigated with proof.

Abbasi, who is also the former prime minister, expressed these views while addressing the media outside the Parliament House in Islamabad.

On Sunday, the government allowed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to arrest Tarin on charges of sedition for allegedly stalling talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“An inquiry against Shaukat Tarin has been completed and the government has allowed the FIA to arrest him,” Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said at a news conference in Karachi.

PML-N leader Abbasi disclosed that the PML-N was not participating in the by-elections. However, he said that the elections would be held on time.

“The ECP has to decide the dates for the elections of [the two] provincial assemblies,” the former prime minister said, adding that it was written in the Constitution that the elections “will be conducted within 90 days”.

Moreover, he said Rs180 billion taxes were essential for the survival of economy.

To a question regarding imposition of new taxes, Abbasi said that those who did not understand the logic behind these taxes, should look at the demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He defended his government’s move of imposing new taxes, saying that the commitments made with the IMF were similar to those of the previous governments. “This is necessary to bridge the revenue shortfall.”

The PML-N leader justified electricity tariff hike with an increased cost of its production.