Jago Times "English Edition" Best Online Newspaper
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar is addressing a press conference on the country’s prevailing economic situation.
Dar said he was doing the press conference to clear “ambiguity” amid the current scenario.
He said the current government had made a “principled decision” whether to save the state or its own politics around the time of last year’s vote of no confidence against former prime minister Imran Khan.
Dar said the state’s interest was prioritised over political interests at the time, adding that it was the “right decision”.
He criticised the PTI chief, calling on him to reflect on his own past and government’s performance. “They keep going on and on about default [but] their ministers called their provincial finance ministers that … you don’t allow the IMF matter to be resolved,” Dar added.
The finance minister said Imran’s attitude was “selfish”, adding that oppositions around the world worked together with the government on national issues.
Regarding whether the country would default or not, Dar said: “We have never defaulted and we won’t now. Yes, we were in a precarious situation and are going through it currently.”
He said that instead of coming together to come up with ways of steering Pakistan through the crisis, he said Imran was only concerned about “how can I criticise [the government]”.
Dar said such attitudes had an impact on the financial markets.
His presser comes a day after the Pakistani rupee hit a new low against, the interest rate was raised by 300 basis points, and subsequent calls by the PTI for Dar’s resignation.
Ahead of his press conference today, he was approached by reporters outside Parliament House in Islamabad, to whom he repeatedly said to ask him questions at 4:10pm — referring to his expected press conference.
A reporter then asked, “sir, will you be resigning at 4:10pm?”, to which Dar retorted: “Do you have any issue with me working?”
The reporter answered: “Sir, I do not have any problem; I was just asking a question because of the ongoing talk about your resignation. At least refute it.”
Then, a reporter mentioned that former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi had said yesterday that Dar was about to resign.
To this, the finance minister said: “What has he even done with the country? Everyone knows the destruction he has done. He has given refunds worth billions of rupees? He should be in jail right now.”
The finance minister then proceeded to sit in a car and refrain from making any further comments.
PTI, analysts hold Dar responsible
PTI leader Hammad Azhar had said on Thursday that it was important to get rid of Dar — asking either he tender his resignation or be immediately sacked for the sake of the country’s economic security.
Meanwhile, Washington insiders Dawn spoke to on Thursday said Pakistan will ultimately reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) but it was difficult to say exactly when.
“The problem started late last year when former finance minister Miftah Ismail was removed,” said one insider. “He understood the need for course correction and wanted to do so. Dar does not.”
The officials Dawn had spoken to said Dar’s refusal to unhook the currency and withdraw general subsidies and his aversion to debt restructuring hurt the economy.
The criticism from multiple sectors came after the Pakistani rupee sank sharply by Rs18.98 against the dollar as trading closed on Thursday, with the local currency reaching a historic high of Rs285.09 at close, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Analysts had attributed the record drop — 6.66 per cent — to the government’s impasse with the IMF.
Later the same day, the SBP announced it had increased the interest rate by 300 basis points (bps) to 20pc — the highest level since October 1996 — citing rising inflation.