Economic policies of PTI govt have failed: Khursheed Shah

SUKKUR: Senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and former opposition leader in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has failed in its economic policies and the Sunday’s by-election has exposed its 50-day performance.

Talking to media in Sukkur on Monday, Shah said hurling allegations at others cannot help put the country out of the deteriorating economic situation.

“Tax rates are increasing, dollar price is rising and the businesses are shutting down. The government has announced a failed economic policy and the debt has increased owing to the rise in dollar’s value,” he said.

“The country’s economy cannot be fixed by hurling expletives,” he asserted while adding that fear is gripping the nation regarding the economic situation. “The issue of the economy is the country’s issue and not one between PTI and political parties.”

Khursheed Shah said that the opposition parties were ready for talks with the government but Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif was suddenly arrested. “We were ready to accept all of the government’s terms, but the opposition leader was arrested all of a sudden.”

“We have done nothing but are facing strong repercussions,” he lamented.

Furthermore, the PPP leader said, “Pressure is exerted (on rivals) through the National Accountability Bureau, Federal Investigation Agency and Federal Board of Revenue.”

Shah warned, “If the speaker of the house is taken as a hostage then it will be very difficult for the parliament to operate. If the law is used for personal vendetta then it will hold no value.”

Stating that the opposition has been fulfilling its constitutional role, Shah said, “We will not create hurdles in the way of the government and will give them a chance to prove themselves.”

Taking a hit at Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Naya Pakistan Housing Programme, Shah said, “It is a drama and beyond understanding. It will be a bigger mistake than the (PML-N government’s) Ashiana Housing scheme.”

“How will a man who earns Rs3,000 per month pay back a loan of Rs1.5 million?” he asked.

Further, Shah said, “On one hand they are talking about making millions of houses but on the other, they are razing houses and making millions homeless.”