ISLAMABAD: Shortly before PTI founding Chairman Imran Khan revealed having written letter to IMF, asking it to make its next loan programme conditional to Pakistan conducting an audit of February 8 general elections, party leader Senator Barrister Ali Zafar clarified that country should continue to engage with IMF.

Senator Zafar said that engagement with IMF should continue to “Ensure financial discipline, good governance and economic stability which is critical for prosperity of people of Pakistan”.

However, shortly after Senator Zafar’s statement, Imran told media that he had written letter to IMF addressing allegations of election rigging.

In an unofficial conversation with media representatives at Adiala Jail, following hearing of £ 190 million case, PTI supremo stated that letter raises concerns about obtaining loans in such circumstances, questioning who would be responsible for repaying international monetary body in current circumstances.

Expressing apprehension that this loan would exacerbate poverty, PTI founder maintained that investment needs to be attracted otherwise loans will keep piling up. “Political stability needs to come to country before anything else.”

Imran alleged that institutions were compromised to ensure PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s ‘selection’, causing harm to courts and organisations, including National Accountability Bureau in process.

Imran contended “Rigging occurred in favour of Nawaz” during elections after unfairly subjecting him to allegations.

Referring to Rawalpindi Commissioner backtracking from his earlier ‘poll rigging revelations’, Imran claimed that former official was “Picked up and tortured”. “Vigo came and picked him up. Now his software has been updated,” he added.

In today’s statement, PTI leader Barrister Zafar said that Pakistan will always remain top priority for party.

Zafar, speaking to media outside Adiala Jail later in day, said PTI founder has maintained that IMF programme should continue for country. He quoted Imran by saying that party supremo has said that need is to better economy.

“PTI founder has said that there is need for political and economic stability and we will raise our voice for democracy on every forum possible,” Zafar said quoting Imran.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 23 2024

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