There is no existence of the technocrat govt in the constitution: Ahsan Iqbal 

LAHORE, Dec 31, (SABAH): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry has said that no politics could be done on economy and peace of the country. He said that the coalition government is committed to take all necessary tough decisions for brining out the country out of crisis, adding that Pakistan will be turned around in next two to three years and will be put back on the journey of progress in next years as it was progressing in 2017-18. He said that there is no existence of the technocrat government in the constitution.

While addressing a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Ahsan Iqbal said that Imran Niazi secured NRO through former chief justice Supreme Court of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar and was imposed on the country. He said that in 2018 such government was brought in the country which had no experience, capability and capacity. He said that during the last four years the overall economic potential was destroyed, was clutched into the inflation and debts, 80 percent debt of Pakistan’s whole history was taken in these four years. He said that in 2017 we were used to pay Rs 1,700 billion in form of debt serving, adding that this burden has reached near Rs 5,000 billion in 2022-23, adding that the PTI government has made threefold increase in this form.

Ahsan Iqbal said that today practically all the resources of the federal government are going in the payment of debts and for all other expenditures there is need of securing more debts, adding that whether this situation is acceptable for an independent country. Ahsan Iqbal said that we are standing at the crossroads, adding that the current government took as challenge to revive the economy of the country, adding that we are not ruling the country as some political compulsion but are ruling the country in the national interest.

Ahsan Iqbal said that the biggest challenge in front of us is that how we could normalize the economic and law and order situation of the country. He said that if Pakistan has to make progress then there is no room for terrorism and extremism in the country, adding that Pakistan is a constitutional country and if any group did not recognize the constitution of Pakistan then there is no room for it in Pakistan.

Ahsan Iqbal has said the government is making all out efforts for revival of the country’s economy. He said the coalition government has accepted the restoration of the country’s economy as a major challenge. He said that the government is serving in the best interest of the nation. The Planning Minister said no country has shown concern over Pakistan’s economic conditions. Ahsan Iqabl said that he has not heard from any Indian media or enemy that Pakistan is going to collapse or default, adding that Imran Khan and PTI leadership are continuously waging psychological war against Pakistan that God forbid! Pakistan is going to collapse or default.

He said that the people of Punjab had given mandate to PML-N in 2018 election but this mandate was snatched and people of Punjab were punished in form of Usman Buzdar and Punjab’s administrative capability and Punjab’s progress was destroyed.

He said that Imran Khan’s cabinet had made decision that the next elections will be held in the light of the results of the new census, adding that the census results will be compiled till 30th April and then Election Commission of Pakistan will take four months time for carrying out delimitations and this process will be completed in August and assemblies will also complete their tenure in August. He said that the election will be held within 60 days after completion of the tenure of assemblies which is October 2023.  

Ahsan Iqbal said that in the result of the steps taken by the current government, the better results will start coming next year. He said that globally 2023 is also being termed financially as tough year so we have to move forward more cautiously.