Sheikh Rashid sees public support a must to sort out economic mess

RAWALPINDI (NNI): Awami Muslim League (AML) Chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Saturday economic issues being faced by the country could not be resolved without the public support.
Taking to Twitter, he slammed the government for celebrating the loan deed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), saying it was the public who would repay the debts.
The former interior minister said the IMF team was holding meetings with major political parties to seek assurances on various matters, including giving right to vote to people. He called the $3 billion standby agreement with the IMF a “temporary relief” that would not assuage the situation for public.
Pakistan had to repay $91 billion dollars in three years and $11 billion by December this year, he said, but lamented that the growth rate, exports and remittances of the country saw no growth. Mr Ahmed also saw next nine months tough for caretaker setup and new government.
The former minister said friendly countries had called for political stability in Pakistan in order to bring economic stability. He warned of default if the government failed to secure the rescheduling of debts on time.
“It is not an easy task to run the country amid prevailing economic and political situation,” he said, adding that there was no relief for the public.
He said a democratic setup collapsed where constitution and law were violated, court orders defied and people abducted from their houses. In such a situation, people were left with no option but to snatch their rights by risking their lives, he said.