Economy stabilized, made unprecedented decisions to save money: Hafeez Sheikh

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said that no prime minister could complete its term in 72 years. Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said that the results of economy affecting directly the people. “Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken a big decision by freezing the army budget and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa supported it,” he said. He said that economy had stabilized and the decisions they made to save the money could not be taken by anyone. “We have brought the trade deficit to US$2 billion from US$20 billion. Dollars were wasted to stop the prices of gas and electricity. We will also fail if did not take the rights steps.” Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said that the present government had inherited Rs30 billion loan, while the export growth was zero during the previous government. “Emotional speeches were made about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the National Assembly. In 2013, the government had also approached the IMF. Criticism does not suit those who also approach the IMF,” he maintained. He claimed that they had received the US$6 billion package on easy terms. “The world got confidence through the IMF package that Pakistan is ready to limit its expenditures and get the taxes,” he added. He said that the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank had supported them. “The IMF people held talks with the IMF. Pakistan should be proud of Raza Baqar, a resident of Lahore, who earned a status through hard work. He left the IMF job for Pakistan,” he said.