Prime Minister Imran Khan stated on Sunday (7th November) that Pakistan has performed much better than other countries in the aftermath of Covid-19’s unprecedented price hike.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a tweet, “An unprecedented rise in commodity prices internationally has adversely affected most countries in the world as a result of the Covid lockdowns.”
However, he added, “Pakistan Masha Allah has fared relatively better in meeting the challenge.”
The Prime Minister also uploaded a video clip of Muzammil Aslam, the finance ministry’s spokesperson, who dismissed the notion that Pakistan’s economy was in trouble while also stating that prices of petroleum, gas and edible oil were beyond the control of the government.
It should be noted that on Friday (5th November), the presidents of the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s component parties promised to start another Tehreek-i-Nijaat (riddance movement) against the government, blaming “unprecedented” inflation accountability for the ruling alliance’s corruption.
According to the finance ministry’s spokesman, Muzammil Aslam while quoting the data put forward by UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
- Food prices increased by 1.9 percent in September and October this year.
- The World Cereal Index by 3.2 percent.
- Edible oil prices by 9.6 percent.
- Dairy products by 2.6 percent.
Furthermore, he added that the textile exports of Pakistan are expected to reach $22bn, and “despite worldwide inflation trend, Pakistan’s exports recorded an increase of 17pc in October and likely to touch $30 billion mark this year.”
According to the spokesman, non-oil imports decreased by 12.5 percent last month because of timely steps, resulting in a $750 million difference.
According to the latest figures, the country’s cotton crop surged by 81 percent in the last four months, while the industry grew by more than 12 percent. Moreover, he said that companies reported a 21 percent increase in profits in august.
He said the government had already indicated that a concession of Rs5-7 will be extended on every unit consumed between November and February as part of the prime minister’s recently announced Rs120 billion packages.
The spokesperson, however, said: “Prices of petroleum, gas and edible oil were not in government’s control”, but, due to record crops this year, Pakistan would emerge from a food deficit to a food surplus country.
“Prices of fuel, gas and edible oil are not under government control,” the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan would move from a food deficit to a surplus due to the recorded crops this year.
Shehbaz Sharif
Shehbaz Sharif, the leader of the opposition and President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), met with the heads of other opposition parties through telephone and video links and unanimously determined to give the government a hard time both inside and outside Parliament House.
Furthermore, he also asked for the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan based on irregularities highlighted by a report released by ECP in the Daska’s NA-75 constituency by-election.
Shehbaz said, “Imran Khan Niazi must tell what he is waiting for after the ECP report disclosed everything?” furthermore, he said, “It requires a big heart to become Nawaz Sharif and face the law.”
In a tweet, Shehbaz said, “ECP inquiry report on Daska election is an eye-opening account of how Imran government attempted to steal the public mandate. It is a slap in the face of cabinet ministers who raised a storm. The nation now awaits how the govt bigwigs are made to answer for their role in the rigging.”
Shehbaz stated in a statement on Sunday that attempts were being made to take away people’s right to elect their own representatives. He stated that the PML-N would vigorously oppose the government’s proposal to implement:
- Electoral reforms.
- Electronic voting machines.
- NAB ordinance modifications.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, Information Secretary of PML-N said the investigation established beyond a doubt that Imran Khan was personally involved in the Daska by-election rigging.
