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Opposition needs to stop lying about inflation which stands at 11% not 25%: Tarin

Opposition needs to stop lying about inflation which stands at 11% not 25%: Tarin
June 21, 2021

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Monday disputed the assertions by the opposition of 25 per cent inflation in the country at present, saying that they need to stop lying about inflation which stands at 11 pc and not 25 pc.

Participating in the budget debate in the National Assembly, the finance minister maintained that the country imported 70 pc of its pulses adding to import bills that the economy has to bear. What did the past governments do in the past 10 years about it, he asked adding that why the agriculture sector was not paid any attention.

"Groceries are expensive because we have become net food importers. We have not a dollar printing machine so had to go to the IMF. The economy went down due to the IMF terms as well as Corona also impacted on the economy."

Talking about the next budget, Shaukat Tarin said it is the PTI government, which thought about the poor people for the first time in the history of Pakistan. He said the government successfully eliminated the Current Account Deficit of around 20 billion dollars and now it is determined to strengthen agriculture and the industry. He said all possible cooperation will be extended to strengthen the local industry. He said we are focusing on enhancing exports to ensure sustainable economic growth.

"The reason for resorting to IMF bailout was to avoid insolvency due to financial crises accumulated from the past governments. I know the shortcomings of the past governments and thus I don’t need to be schooled on this matter," Tarin mentioned, adding that printing currency notes is in no way the solution to avert the crises.