IMF deal will increase inflation, poverty and unemployment: Sheikh Rashid
ISLAMABAD – Expressing happiness with the IMF package that eliminated fear of imminent default, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that a permanent solution to the problem should be found.
Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, he said the agreement was for nine months. “It is not a permanent solution, the question persists; what will happen after nine months,” Qureshi asked.
He said “we must learn from the past. Agreements were made in the past as well, which could not be completed.”
The PTI leader said that he was appearing before courts and wanted to proceed in a political, legal and peaceful way.
The PTI vice chairman said that every political party makes a plan of action. The party chairman is also appearing before courts. We are facing cases in accordance with the law.
Regarding desecration of Holy Quran, he said there is anxiety in the Islamic world over the Sweden incident. “There is no justification for hurting the feelings of more than a billion Muslims,” he continued.
Qureshi said that the Islamophobia was raised when the PTI was in the government. “We also raised our voice on the forum of United Nations, and March 15 was designated as International Day to Combat Islamophobia.”
The PTI vice chief said only a resolution to condemn the desecration of the Holy Quran is not enough. “We have to consult the international law on the issue,” he stated.
He said he favoured freedom of expression, but there should be limits and restrictions. The freedom of expression does not endanger someone’s life.
“The whole nation must unite on the issue and express its indignation peacefully after Friday prayers. We are peaceful people. There should be an action plan,” he commented,
While,
Awami Muslim League chief and former interior minister Sheikh Rashid says the agreement with the IMF will increase poverty, inflation and unemployment.
In a series of tweets on the social networking website Twitter, Rashid said the incumbent government, caretaker setup and the next government would have to fulfill the IMF’s strict conditions within nine months.
He said Pakistan had to repay loan seven times greater than that of current foreign exchange reserves the country had in the national kitty. “Debt repayment is still at risk,” he said.
The former federal minister said if the IMF programme was suspended, rulers would not be able to avert the economic crisis. “Our expenses are much higher than our income. Those who wasted 10 months and tarnished the reputation of the company are not capable of bringing economic stability to the country,” Rashid said.
The AML head said inflation and unemployment would further increase. “We have to pay more than Rs10 billion in debt by the end of this year,” he said.
Rashid said Pakistan’s political decisions were being made in Dubai and London. He said Nawaz Sharif remained busy in politics during his bail which he secured by showing himself ill.
“By Aug 12, everything will be clear in politics. Two royal families are deciding the future of Pakistan from outside the country. As many as 240 million people have no status or importance,” he said.
He further said those who thought the political field was clear in Punjab were oblivious to reason. He said the nation wanted to dispose of political garbage.
