PESHAWAR: Awami National Party leaderand former senator Ilyas Ahmad Bilourhas expressed grave concern over economic crisis in the country and asked the federal government to immediately impose ban on import of luxury items.

Talking to mediapersons here on Friday, he held former prime minister Imran Khan responsible for the poor economic situation of the country.

Mr Bilour, who is also a central leader of the United Business Group (UBG), said that it was difficult to revive the economy in one month, suggesting that the federal government should adopt harsh measures to pull the country out of the present economic morass.

He suggested slapping restrictions on import of luxury cars above 1,300CC and other items.

He also expressed his serious concern over rapid depreciation of Pakistani rupee against the US dollar, stressing the need for imposing restrictions on all those people who were spending dollars during their recreational visits to foreign countries.

He said that people intending to go abroad for business should be allowed after proper verification.

Besides, the Awami National Party leader suggested that the people who had already availed of the opportunity to perform Haj twice should not be allowed for third time.

He proposed that non-development expenditures should be curtailed by 12 to 14 per cent in order to reduce increasing pressure on the national economy.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2022