Coalition govt decides completing 1.5-year tenure despite economic catastrophe

ISLAMABAD: The coalition government led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government have rejected Imran Khan’s demand for early elections and decided to stay in the government till August 2023, assuring Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of their support for all decisions.

An important meeting of the government allies was held at the Prime Minister’s House under the chair of PM Shahbaz Sharif yesterday. In the meeting, the allies categorically rejected the demand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for early elections and assured the government of their full support.

The meeting was attended by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) supremo Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) convenor Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and federal ministers Azam Nazir Tarar, Khawaja Asif and Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Fuel subsidies: PML-N govt gets allies’ nod for tough economic decisions

They decided that the government would fulfil its constitutional term to get the country out of the economic crisis.

It was decided that the electoral reforms would be carried out as soon as possible and all stakeholders would work together to improve the economic situation. The failures of Imran Khan’s government and his decisions regarding the economy will be made public.

The allies of the present government also decided to take tougher decisions.

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A delegation led by Finance Minister Muftah Ismail will leave for Doha today for talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The talks will focus on receiving another tranche of $1 billion under the IMF’s loan program.

Political analysts said that if the government and its allies decide to take tough decisions, it is clear that the government will increase the prices of petroleum products, which will be followed by a new wave of inflation in the country. The decisions will give more chances to the former prime minister Imran Khan to speak openly against the government and the public pressure would be primarily borne by the ruling party, PML-N.

They added that the difficult decisions always impact the common man but the rulers continue enjoying their perks while being in the power. Interestingly, the IMF has never asked the rulers to end their luxuries but to end subsidies on petrol and power.

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They added that the IMF is also part of this dirty game in which its silent moves made the governments unpopular amongst their nationals. It will be a huge responsibility for PM Shehbaz Sharif now to come up with a policy that will maintain a balance between the state expenditures and the financial burden on the common people.

Analysts also say that Pakistan is a week away from default and if the coalition partners go for electoral reforms and do not comply with Imran Khan’s demand, then the PTI chairman will continue to hold public meetings and speeches to destabilise the government, or the present rulers might be preparing to witness the default. If the government does not accept Imran Khan’s demand for early elections, he will go on a long march and the political uncertainty will further result in rupee depreciation and the country will sink into more debt.