Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Saturday criticised the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and termed the alliance’s countrywide protests’ drive against inflation a storm in a teacup.
While addressing a press conference at Pakistan’s embassy in the United States, the minister said prices of food and other items have increased not only in Pakistan but other countries as well.
He said that this is the sixth time he is hearing talk of the government being sent packing over the last three years.
Highlighting the PTI-led government’s achievements, the minister said that a Rs800 billion budget was presented last year, adding that Rs600 billion were allocated for development projects in the budget.
He said the government is taking steps to expedite investment in Pakistan to generate employment and other benefits. “Pakistan gives great importance to its trade relations with the Central Asian countries,” he said, adding that the route to these countries goes through Afghanistan.
He said that the scope of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor is being extended, adding that some countries do not want to see the project expanding.
Referring to the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the minister hoped that the world will not repeat the earlier mistakes. He said that if the world does not repeat its mistakes in the war-ravaged country, the US government will be able to tell its people that its 20-year investment in Afghanistan is not wasted.
Asad said that the Taliban’s behaviour is positive and they want constructive relations with the world.
