London meeting: PML-N govt fails to unveil strategy to end political, economic crisis

The Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government has failed to unveil a comprehensive policy after the London meeting for ending the current political turmoil and severe economic crisis in the country except by making contradictory media statements through its ministers.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the whole federal cabinet visited London to meet the supremo Nawaz Sharif to hold consultations on important national issues and their solutions. However, the ruling party is seemingly indecisive on each issue as no concrete plan was unveiled despite the rulers extending their visit to London and PM Shehbaz Sharif is still staying there.

After concluding the London visit, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail continued the blame game by declaring PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a prime reason for the rise in inflation and rupee devaluation.

He criticised that there is a loss of Rs120 billion this month due to fuel subsidy and no government can bear such a huge deficit. He added that it is not an easy task to stabilise the economy that Imran Khan has left behind in shambles.

However, he did not make an announcement about its solution.

During his London visit, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told the journalists yesterday the PML-N has decided to take allied parties into confidence within 48 hours before announcing major decisions related to the economy in an attempt to bring stability to the current volatile situation.

Asif said PML-N’s London huddle concluded Friday afternoon after three days of deliberations where major decisions were taken, and it was decided that the economic plan would be placed before the allies, and their approval would be sought.

He claimed that the focus of the meeting was on the economy throughout as “Imran Khan has caused destruction to the economy of Pakistan under the state patronage.”

Media reports also suggested that the federal government is expected to hike petrol prices after ending subsidies to resume talks with the IMF after making a decision to increase power tariffs.

Except for a comprehensive plan to revive the national economy, the ruling party took important decisions on everything for the political front including coalition partners, the Punjab cabinet, fixing the political rival Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and others.

Sources said that the government delegation decided to lodge cases of constitutional violations against the former prime minister Imran Khan and his team’s steps after April 3. They added that legal action will be initiated against Imran Khan, President Arif Alvi, Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri, ousted Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry for violating the constitution.

According to sources, the government delegation has also finalised all the decisions for power-sharing in Punjab and for fulfilling the promises with the ally parties.

The PML-N leadership has settled all the political issues but it did not take any steps or formulate a strategy for the revival of the economy, depreciation of the rupee and subsidy on petroleum products. The top leaders also failed to present a comprehensive plan for electoral reforms as it is impossible without the inclusion of PTI in the process.

On the other hand, it has been revealed that the PML-N leaders have taken oaths twice for keeping the secrecy of the London meeting