PPP decides to strongly oppose appointment of Dr Reza Baqir
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Pakistan Peoples’ Party PPP has decided to strongly oppose the appointment of Dr Reza Baqir as Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Speaking to the journalists in the parliament house on Monday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “The government has lack of leadership. It seems the government is compromising on the country’s economic autonomy.”
Bilawal Bhutto asked that if International Monetary Fund (IMF) will now decide who should be appointed on top slots, adding that the system will not work in this way.
“IMF also needs us and PPP fought for public when it contacted IMF in past. He said PPP gave jobs to people against the will of IMP in past but incumbent government is only following IMF demands,” he termed.
The PPP chairman also mentioned that a sudden change of the finance minister, the SBP governor and chairman FBR was a serious issue.
He warned that the PPP will raise the issues regarding appointment of Dr Reza Baqir inside and outside the parliament will full force, adding that the SBP head is appointed for three years and cannot be replaced forcefully.
On the other hand, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that it seems the IMF's officec are being shifted in Pakistan. “When the people form world institutions will be appointed in the SBP, how can we run the affairs in favour of the country,” he added.
Undeclared pressure exists on freedom of expression in Pakistan: Bilawal
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that undeclared pressured exists on freedom of expression in Pakistan.
Addressing a ceremony on the World Press Freedom Day at Karachi Press Club on Friday, he said that freedom of journalism is vital for democracy. “Democratic rights are being banned,” he said.
The PPP chairman said that 26 journalists were murdered, but only 16 cases were tried. “The accused were punished only in one case,” he said.
He recited poems to pay rich tributes to journalists. “The freedom of expression is a basic right, but the gun and the religion are being used to suppress it,” he said.
Bilawal Bhutto said that the federal government should ensure journalism and freedom of expression instead of suppressing it.
PPP co-chiarman Asif Ali Zardari said that there was unannounced censorship in the country. “The PPP believes in the freedom of journalism. The PPP stands by the struggle for freedom of expression,” he said.
