Ahsan Iqbal asks ISPR DG to avoid commenting on country’s economy

ISLAMABAD (NNI): Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal reacted to the statements given by Pakistan Army officials regarding deteriorating economical situation in the country, suggesting Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations DG (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor to refrain from commenting on the economy in public.

Talking to media persons Friday, the Interior Minister said irresponsible statements have huge impact on international reputation of the country. Resources are also being provided for security operations.

Iqbal claimed that tax collection had increased by two times, development budget also went up and there is no need to go on another IMF programme. He said economic situation in Pakistan is much better as compared to situation in 2013. “Country’s economy is stable and irresponsible statements in this regard could damage Pakistan’s image at international level,’ he remarked.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, during a talk show of a private television channel, had given his opinion on the current economical state of the country. He had said that the country’s economy is closely linked with the security and Pakistan needs to be fully secured for its economy’s boom, he said.

He had bluntly told that the economical situation is not bad, but its not good either and that a better future strategy should be devised for prosperous future.

While refuting to the views of DG ISPR, Ahsan Iqbal claimed that Pakistan’s economy is still strong and irresponsible remarks could damage the image of the country.

It should be recalled that in a Karachi-based seminar by ISPR earlier this weak, Chief of Army Staff had also expressed his views on economy, calling it interlinked with the security. He had urged to implement NAP to bring political and economical stability in the country.

Referring to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s address to a seminar in Karachi, Major General Asif Ghafoor said the Army Chief had given proposals for strengthening the economy.

The DG ISPR said that said if the national economy was not bad then it was also not in a very good condition. He said Pakistan Army was looking after the matters of national security.