- Says no political party can adopt such tactics of writing letters
ISLAMABAD: PML-N Supremo and former three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday declared that writing a letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is tantamount to enmity with state, saying only they (PTI leaders) can write such letter as this is their ‘style’.
Talking to newsmen at the Parliament House here Nawaz Sharif further said that no political party can adopt such tactics of writing letters. “You can draw your own conclusions,” he asked the newsmen.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif reached the Parliament House to attend the inaugural session of the newly-elected National Assembly.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s founder chairman and former prime miniter Imran Khan had written a letter to the IMF asking it to focus on political stability in new bailout talks with Pakistan government.
Contrary to his wishes in that letter, the IMF has already declined to get itself involved in such theatrics. Last week, IMF Director Julie Kozack said that the Fund was ready to work with Pakistan’s new government on policies to ensure macroeconomic stability and prosperity for all of Pakistan’s citizens.
Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, Ayaz Sadiq, Ataullah Tarar and others went into Ishaq Dar’s chamber.
The PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif said that PTI founder Imran Khan’s letter to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – linking the country’s political stability with any further bailout talks – is akin to hostility against the state.
Yesterday, Caretaker Premier Anwaarul Haq Kakar expressed his disapproval of the PTI chief’s letter to the IMF, terming this move as ‘highly irresponsible’.
Appearing on a talk show of a private TV channel, the prime minister said the letter was sent at a time when the caretaker government had significantly worked for economic revival, with relevant indicators showing positive trends and achieving various financial targets.
He mentioned that negotiations with the IMF are underway for a $6-billion-dollar agreement, which is crucial for the economic health of the country. Moreover, different multilateral agreements also depend on it.
He said there are appropriate forums for electoral disputes, and PTI’s decision to write a letter to the IMF was unjustified and highly irresponsible. However, he noted that in tangible terms, the letter would have no effects, but it would have political costs for the PTI
Previously, PTI founder Imran Khan confirmed that he had penned a letter to the IMF, urging the global lender to give the poll results a thorough once-over before cutting any new cheques for Islamabad.
“If the country gets a loan in such a situation, then who will return it?” he questioned, expressing concerns that such a loan could lead to an increase in poverty.
The former prime minister warned that without substantial investment in the country, the burden of loans would continue to rise, underscoring the need for political stability.
He alleged that the institutions were compromised to ensure the selection of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, causing harm to various organisations, including the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Accusing the election process of being rigged in favour of Nawaz, Imran claimed that he had been unfairly subjected to allegations.
Despite Imran’s efforts, it remains uncertain whether the letter will yield the desired results, as the IMF, expressed willingness to work with the new Pakistani government while ignoring his demand.
