THE Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government has been in office for less than two months and it has decided t o knock at the IMF’s doors for an economic bailout package. Whatever happened to the party’s pre-election promises that the country would stand on its own feet and not resort to borrowing?

Pakistan has gone to the International Monetary Fund 10 times since 1990. Every government has approached the IMF for a loan to keep the economy running.

Those now at the helm of affairs fully realise that the IMF bailout package comes at a steep price. The recent increase in the price of gas and CNG is a harbinger of what lies in store for the people.

I request the PTI government to revisit their decision of asking the IMF for another bail-out and opt instead for other prescriptions albeit harsh. This is what the populace elected them for. More of the same old measures will not do.

Muhammad Owais

Naushahro Feroze

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2018