Govt, opp trade barb over economy

PTI Senator Ali Zafar has said the country had been facing not just a political crisis but also a constitutional crisis since February 8, 2024 general election in which public mandate was stolen through violence and deceit

Speaking on the floor of the upper house, Zafar said the public was questioning where justice stands in Pakistan, what the future of the country is, and when former PM Imran Khan would assume office again.

He also criticised the government over the economic crisis, stating that the country's debt had reached Rs80 trillion with a 13 per cent increase. He said more taxes were being extracted from taxpayers, exports were declining, employment opportunities for youth were shrinking, and talented individuals were leaving the country.

Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, while responding to a motion submitted by Zafar on the country's economic situation, said the PML-N government was taking comprehensive measures to pull the country out of economic difficulties.

He alleged that the previous government, driven by political ego and fear of losing power, deliberately pushed Pakistan towards default. He said the flawed policies of their four finance ministers dragged the country towards economic deterioration.

"When they realised their government was about to fall, they intentionally sabotaged the IMF programme, despite being fully aware that this could plunge the country into a severe economic crisis."

He said default means conditions similar to those witnessed in Sri Lanka, where people, according to him, were forced to stand in long queues for fuel and cooking gas.

He termed it unfortunate that the then prime minister and PTI founder — Imran Khan — was fully aware of these consequences, yet still took decisions against the national interest.

He further said that when the current coalition government assumed power in 2022, it inherited a sabotaged IMF programme.

Giving priority to national interest, he said, the government not only revived the programme but also restored trust with international financial institutions, as a result of which Pakistan avoided default and moved towards economic stability.

He said that some finance ministers of the former government kept writing letters to the IMF urging it not to revive the programme, exposing their intentions and conduct.

According to him, the same elements are now delivering lectures on the economy, despite the complete failure of all their economic policies

The Senate session on Friday commenced under the chairmanship of Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani. After a motion to suspend the Question Hour, reports of the standing committees were presented.