LAHORE - Expressing his displeasure over the government’s ‘flawed’ policies for governing the country, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif said that the government had caused the national economy to fall into an abyss.

“Imagine! Which abyss our economy has fallen into,” he tweeted.

The PML-N president came down hard on the government for, what he said, lying again to the people like previous year. In his tweets, he said that the PML-N government had left the growth rate at 5.8 per cent while Prime Minister Imran Khan was claiming only 3.9 per cent growth rate today. He pointed out that a representative of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had raised an objection to the exaggerated figures presented by the government. “In its first year, the government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had falsely increased the original figure of growth rate from 1.9 per cent to 3.3 per cent. They have lied again this year,” he stated.

PML-N leader claims they left growth rate at 5.8pc | Says PTI showing 3.9pc growth rate which is unrealistic

He said that the PTI government had revised its last year’s figures from -0.4 per cent to -0.5 per cent, adding that there was a 3 per cent decrease in per capita income of Pakistanis during the previous year. “The independent economists are also predicting a decline in real incomes of Pakistanis during the ongoing year. So, this year’s growth rate too is unrealistic; and like the previous year, it will be low in the next.”

He lamented: “Every week since February 5, prices have been showing a 13 per cent increase. Unlike the previous year, prices have increased by 17 per cent during the current week. Only food prices have witnessed an increase of more than 14 per cent.”

The PML-N president said that the PTI government had left five million people unemployed and 20 million in abject poverty. “The government has destroyed the middle class. Imran Khan is running the country only to benefit his friends. In a successful economy, inflation remains low and employment high. The government plans the establishment of schools, hospitals and different infrastructures.”

Later on, Shehbaz Sharif arrived at the residence of former MNA Sheikh Waseem and offered him his deepest condolences over the demise of his wife. The deceased was the mother of MNA Saad Waseem. On the occasion, the PML-N president offered Fateha and prayed for rest of the departed soul in eternal peace. He also appreciated the Sheikh Waseem, Saad Waseem, and other party members for their commitment and loyalty to the party, saying that their effort, steadfastness, and unity would bear fruit. The family members of Sheikh Waseem thanked Shehbaz Sharif for his arrival.