‘Pakistan only nuclear country which begs for foreign aid’: Imran Khan faces backlash for economic policies

The trust and confidence of the citizenry in the current government’s is at record low due to the administrations’ financial mishandling and subordination to the conditions proposed by the IMF for foreign loans to govern the country, as per a report by a media outlet “Islam Khabar”.  

The Imran Khan-government has been heavily criticized by the Pakistani public for the country’s economic mismanagement and heavy dependence on foreign loans despite being a nuclear power.

The trust and confidence of the citizenry in the current government’s is at record low due to the administrations’ financial mishandling and subordination to the conditions proposed by the IMF for foreign loans to govern the country, as per a report by a media outlet “Islam Khabar”.

Advertisement

“I am pleased to announce that IMF Board has approved 6th tranche of their programme for Pakistan,” country’s Revenue Minster tweeted on 2nd February, which was not received well by the public.

Also read| US has not learnt from Vietnam and fell into another trap: Pak President

Advertisement

“The only shameless borrowers pleased after borrowing,” a tweep /@SAFIKHA69539851 replied.

“You are pleased over loan Sanctioned.... Is this Naya Pakistan? Is this the tabdeeli (reform) we asked for???? @ImranKhanPTI,” another tweep /@ShkShehzad wrote.  

Advertisement

“I hope this was the last ..,” another tweep /@CLAYBOY9 wrote. 

“(Pakistan is) probably the only nuclear country whose daily affairs require loans, begging for aid and this has continued for decades,” read a media editorial quoted by ANI.

Advertisement

“It is not only surprising but also regrettable that the Finance Minister, by enslaving the nation, expressed happiness over the receipt of a new installment from the IMF,” the report said.

Also read| US returns multiple parcels of land from Yongsan, 2 other bases to S.Korea

Advertisement

The latest tranche is a part of the USD6 billion bailout package which was signed between Pakistan and the IMF in May 2019. The tranche stretched over 39 months and is subject to regular review of the economic macro policies by the IMF.

The opposition parties have also censured the Imran Khan-government for negotiating with the IMF which has compromised the country's sovereignty.

Advertisement

“Imran promised to build 5 million homes, but instead made millions of people homeless. He promised to liberate the country of IMF, but instead given the State Bank under its control,” Pakistani leader and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq said.

Recently, the Pakistan government increased the hike in petroleum products, with petrol prices increasing to PKR 12/litre and diesel PKR 9.53 /litre. This move invited major backlash by the public as well as politicians.

Advertisement

Advertisement