Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has stated on Friday that the income of certain segments of society has witnessed increment, despite country’s surging inflation rate.
The minister, while speaking to the media in Islamabad after a meeting of the PTI’s core committee stated that the “there are many segments of society where [people’s] income has seen a considerable increase.” Most it is the salaried class in cities across the country that got affected by the economic squeeze.
The minister went on to state that the government had invested in the agriculture sector and the construction industry, because of which the income of those associated with the sectors has witnessed increment.
In October, the finance ministry had warned of higher inflation, stating that the exchange rate, commodity supplies and seasonality could intensify the magnitude of prices and transportation costs in the country.
As per the Sensitive Price Index (SPI), an increase of 0.67 per cent for the week ending on November 4 had been noticed, which is the fifth consecutive week that had witnessed an is increment.
It is to note that in October, the highest jump of 1.29pc in weekly inflation was recorded.
The soaring inflation has also been criticized by the opposition who carried out a series of protests and marches.
Fawad Chaudhry stated that the government’s focus is now on providing relief to the sectors which had been severely impacted by inflation. However, he stated that we must note that not only Pakistan, but the whole world is suffering from an increase in prices due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“However, Pakistan is one of the few economies that have successfully dealt with the pandemic,” he stated.
“If you look at our villages [and] if you look at figures in the newspapers, then you will see how car sales have increased while motorcycle and tractor sales have doubled,” he said, adding that the consumption of fertiliser, petrol and electricity had also increased.
The minister went on to state that recovering from the economic fallout would be a time taking process, not only for Pakistan but for the entire world.
The minister also questioned how other economies were posting positive economic growth, claiming that economic growth across the world is “negative” and has only increased in Pakistan.
About the meeting between PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman earlier today, the minister stated that the opposition “has no leader”.
“Bilawal […] does not even know about the streets of Larkana’s [so] what does he know of Pakistan’s politics. Fazlur Rehman came with a crowd to Islamabad in the first year [of our government].
“The entire opposition is composed of thakkay hue pehalwan (tired wrestlers). They are trying to stand using each other as a means of support.”
While talking about the purported conflict with the government’s coalition partners, the information minister stated that complaints and disagreements were common in a parliamentary democracy.
“Our coalition parties have expressed confidence in the prime minister and his decisions,” he said.
The minister also said concern over the situation in Afghanistan was expressed in the core committee meeting. “We want that the whole world — especially the Muslim world — comes together on the Afghan issue and talks about it,” he stated.
While talking about the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent appearance in the Supreme Court regarding the Army Public School case, he stated that the premier’s prompt appearance showed how much the ruling PTI respects the judiciary.
