“I THINK Director-General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), is in no capacity to comment on the country’s economy.” This statement came from the interior minister of Pakistan whose office is primarily responsible for homeland security.

It is unfortunate that the interior minister out of nowhere defends the economy of Pakistan.

But we should ignore it because the finance minister is facing trial in courts for money-laundering and, thus, is not able to face the nation.

The people at the helm of affairs should not live in denial and avoid rhetoric as our economy is surely in a shambles.

Democracy allows every citizen to criticise, the government. Therefore, even if DG ISPR points out shortcomings in the economy, it is by no means an unreasonable comment as he is not only a spokesperson for the military but is also a citizen of Pakistan.

Sheikh Taimur Nawaz

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2017