UNDISCLOSED LOCATION – In his first statement since being confirmed the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief on Wednesday Usman Mansoor Hafizullah expressed concerns about Pakistan’s economy.
In the statement, exclusively sent to The Dependent, the Taliban chief, outlining the group’s economic reforms plan, said a viable balance between the economy and security is needed.
“There are mixed indicators,” reads the statement. “Both growth and debts are rising. Similarly, while there are infrastructural improvements, the current account balance and tax to GDP ratio are wretched.”
The economic reforms plan, that has breaking the begging bowl as the ultimate ambition, focuses on the state’s economic liabilities, and outlines a detailed plan to overcome them.
“There is nothing more important than economic sustainability,” the report says adding that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor is the country’s lifeline.
Later, discussing the plan with The Dependent Hafizullah said once in power the Taliban would not go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Only a fool will go to the IMF,” said the TTP chief maintained adding that the Taliban are the best equipped to replicate the Chinese economic model.
“We already have the needed zones, we just need to make them economic now,” he said. “Our vision for the future is based on one suicide-belt, one roadside-blast.