ISLAMABAD:Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) was “Satisfied” with Pakistan’s actions but staff-level agreement could not be signed this week. “We seem to be very close to signing staff-level agreement hopefully in next few days,” Dar said.

Dar said Pakistan will not go bankrupt emphasising country needs charter of economy. “Wrong propaganda about economy is hazardous for Pakistan. Agreement will be reached with IMF within two days. Imran Khan undermined confidence of development institutions and he deviated from IMF programme which led to accelerate inflation in country”, he said.

Addressing seminar on ‘Reviving economic stability through strengthening of Public Financial Management’ here he said budget deficit soared due to ill-conceived policies in past. Pakistan economic woes rose in 2018. Coalition government has inherited economic crisis. He alleged that Pakistan lacked foreign investment owing to wrong policies of PTI government in past.

Pakistan was best market of Asia but today I am feeling trouble unfortunately in telling that Pakistan ranked 47th in global economic list in 2022. Pakistan economy plummeted to lowest level due to ill-conceived policies of previous PTI government.  Per capital income increased only 30 dollars during last four years. As compared to it per capita income during PML-N tenure rose to 373 dollars. He claimed Imran Khan increased Pakistan debt 24 billion dollars.

We are taking measures for improvement in national economy. We will soon overcome economic crisis.

Pakistan is facing myriads of challenges including Pakistan products access to international market, he pointed out.

I invite all political parties to unite for charter of economy by setting aside politics. Posts held by us are trust for which we are accountable.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 10 2023

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