Imran defrauding IMF, Pakistanis for political gain: Shehbaz Sharif

LAHORE - PML-N President and National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that Imran Khan was deceiving both IMF and the people of Pakistan by announcing ‘fake’ relief packages.

Ina statement, Shehbaz said he was praying that Imran Niazi would not take a U-turn in the coming days on the price of petrol and electricity in his so-called package. He said Imran was playing the equivalent of a Ponzi Scheme where the IMF was being manipulated to please the people and the people exploited to please the IMF. The PML-N President said the economic, national and public interests were being sacrificed to save the sinking ship of Imran and his cronies’ politics. “If the petrol price had come down then why had inflation not come down? Who will reduce the fares?, he questioned. Under Imran-led rule corrupt illegal profiteers had the government’s blessings while the people and the media were oppressed and gagged through black laws such a s the PECA Ordinance, he pointed out.

The Opposition Leader said, “The possibility of an increase of Rs 94 per MMBTU for Sui Northern and Rs 50 per MMBTU for Sui Northern from July 1 is proof of the hollowness of the government package. LPG price hike by Rs 27 per kg and domestic cylinder price by Rs 319 was snatching away the right to love from people, what to say about the relief for poor”. Shehbaz said the foreign debt had exceeded $ 47.55 billion in 43 months which had shaken the economy of the country. This means this government borrows $ 1billion every month from abroad.

Says he will pray that Imran Khan does not take U-turn on decrease in petrol prices

No government in history had burdened the nation with so much debt in three years that it had shaken the economic foundation of Pakistan.

Even banks are reluctant to open LC to oil importing companies which could lead to an oil crisis in the country, he warned.

Shehbaz said that the threat of a diesel crisis in the country was alarming, with inflation reaching a 24-month high. He said food inflation of 14.3% in cities and 14.6% in rural areas were examples of oppression of the people. An increase of Rs 2.90 per unit by K-Electric was tantamount to withdrawing the so-called relief. Why was the electricity tariff being increased again after the Imran government announced not to increase the price of petrol and electricity till the budget?, he asked.

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