GUJAR KHAN: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said the PML-N had put its political future at stake to drive the country out of the crisis, and six to eight months were required to stabilise the economy.

He said the government was taking hard decisions as the exchequer was empty before the new government took over.

During his visit to Pind Dadan Khan, he said the previous government had halved the budget of development projects. However, he added, the PML-N-led government would release funds for the completion of projects of public interest.

His visited the area to inspect the construction of the Lillah-Jhelum dual carriageway,

Says PML-N put its political future at stake to steer country out of crisis created by PTI govt

Mr Iqbal said the development budget of the country should have been increased but the PRI government cut that to half. He alleged that billions of rupees were spent on personal housing societies but funds were not allocated for projects like Lillah-Jhelum Road. He said the dual carriageway would be completed soon.

Mr Iqbal said the current economic crisis had never been witnessed in the history of Pakistan. He said the economic turmoil and challenges left behind by Imran Khan’s government were not faced by the country even after the disintegration of East Pakistan and during the sanctions related to Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

“One who had no experience to run even a union council was made the prime minister,” he said referring to Imran Khan.

He said fake cases were made against PML-N leaders by blackmailing the former NAB chief and many leaders of the party were put behind bars. However, corruption of even one penny was not proved against them, he added.

Talking about CPEC, the minister said the multi-billion-dollar project had great significance for the

development of Pakistan but the PTI government also tried to shut it down in its four-year regime. He said a conspiracy was hatched against CPEC by closing Gwadar Port.

He said the previous government allocated no funds for the cleaning of the port due to which its depth decreased so much that large ships cannot anchor there. He said cleaning of the port was now underway so that large ships can be parked there.

On the other hand, former minister from Pind Dadan Khan Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said funds for Lillah-Jhelum Road were reduced by the incumbent government and the PTI had already filed a petition in Lahore High Court against it. He said people of Pind Dadan Khan rejected the visit of Mr Iqbal.

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2022