Previous rulers deliberately ruined economy to create hurdles for next govt: Shibli

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Information Senator Shibli Faraz has said that the previous rulers, who delivering lecture on inflation, are cause of this situation of country’s economy.

Addressing a press conference, the minister said that the PML-N signed expensive energy agreements with foreign companies, resulting in costly prices of electricity and gas. “Now they are misleading the common people by pursing a narrative, which has nothing to do with reality,” he added.

Shibli Faraz said they have done nothing for the country, except pursuing anti-people policies. He said they deliberately ruined country's economy to create hurdles in the way of the next government.

“We inherited current account deficit of 20 billion dollars and a debt of 30 trillion rupees and 2.9 trillion rupees were reserved in the budget to just pay interest of the loans taken by the previous regimes,” the minister mentioned.

The information minister said PML-N government wasted 23 billion dollars to artificially control dollar's value. He said exports were zero, while imports were encouraged, which resulted in de-industrialization in the country.

Imran Khan said now due to strenuous efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan, foreign exchange reserves have reached to 19 billion dollars and current account deficit reduced from 20 billion dollars to a positive territory of 80 million dollars.

He said exports and remittances are on the upward trajectory and our foreign exchange reserves are now in a comfortable zone. He said we have collected around one trillion rupees tax during this quarter, which is above the target.

Turning to opposition's diatribes against NAB, Shibli Faraz said these rejected politicians are running a campaign to malign country's institutions, especially armed forces and the judiciary. He said they are blackmailing the government and state institutions to get relief in corruption cases against them.

The minister clarified that the PTI government will not bow before opposition's pressure tactics and will not give any kind of leniency or NRO. He said opposition's alliance is facing disunity. He said the government will go for by-elections if opposition tenders resignations from the parliament. He said opposition parties should refrain from creating uncertainty among masses.

Highlighting government's efforts in raising Kashmir issue on world forums, Shibli Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan vociferously took up this issue on all global platforms, including the United Nations and human rights organizations.

To a question, Shibli Faraz said the government is taking serious measures to control inflation and provide essential items to the people at affordable rates.