MARDAN: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Senator Sirajul Haq here on Tuesday criticised the government for its decision to seek loan from International Monetary Fund, saying it would not only increase burden of loans but would also cause price hike in the country.

He was talking to journalists after a luncheon arranged in his honour by JI local leader Mushtaq Seemab Khan at his hujra in Sikandari area. The central and provincial leaders of JI were present on the occasion.

Mr Siraj said that PTI chief Imran Khan had promised the countrymen during his election campaign that he would not take loans from IMF if his party was voted to power. He feared that the loan would cause price hike, inflation and devaluation of rupee.

He urged the PTI chief to avoid selective accountability and also make accountable all 436 persons involved in Panama scandal.

He said that people would not tolerate the silence of government regarding the said persons.

The JI chief also demanded of the government to take opposition parties into confidence before bringing changes in the local government system. He said that pace of work on development projects would become slow owing to cut in funds by the government.

Mr Siraj urged the ruling PTI to fulfil its promises, which were part of its election manifesto. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan made claims to follow Madia model of governance. He should take steps to uproot interest-based financial businesses in the country, he added.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2018