PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said on Saturday that the country’s economy was on the verge of collapse due to ill-conceived policies of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government.

Speaking at a press conference at Watan Kor here, he said that the incumbent government had added Rs11 trillion to the national debt burden. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had pledged to create 10 million jobs, but during his government about seven million people had been rendered jobless.

Mr Sherpao said that the growth rate was recorded in the minus after 60 years and per capita income had also dropped. Inflation has also recorded a sharp increase in the last two years, he added.

The QWP leader said that the government was using the National Accountability Bureau for political victimisation of its opponents. He said that the PTI rulers had reneged on all its election pledges.

Demanding fresh elections in the country, he said that the polls should be held so that the people could elect their true representatives. He said that election was the only solution to the problems being faced by the country and its people.

“The time has come to send this government packing,” he said.

Demands fresh polls in country

Mr Sherpao said that the country stood isolated due to the flawed foreign policy of the government, which should be revisited.

He said that it was the habit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to hold the previous government accountable for all the ills. He said that the prices of daily use items, including sugar and flour, had registered record increase in recent weeks. He said that the government had surrendered to mafias.

He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the death of Baloch nationalist leader Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo and said that the void created due to his death could not be filled. He condemned the killing of Baloch youth, Hayat Baloch, and demanded exemplary punishment to those involved in the case. He demanded release of Jang Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakilur Rahman, saying he was being victimised. On this occasion, known political figure Mohammad Saeed Khan joined QWP.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2020