“We are not responsible for the inflation; it began during the time of the PTI founder,” Sharif stated, expressing frustration over the current economic conditions
By Faizan Bangash
LAHORE: In a press conference held in Lahore on Friday, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, accompanied by his daughter Maryam Nawaz, addressed Pakistan’s current economic challenges. Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), criticized the economic policies of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, attributing the ongoing inflation crisis to their tenure.
“We are not responsible for the inflation; it began during the time of the PTI founder,” Sharif stated, expressing frustration over the current economic conditions. He questioned the return of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and criticized those he believes are responsible for the economic turmoil, asserting, “The real culprits are those now in jail making grand statements.”
Sharif defended his administration’s achievements, highlighting the swift completion of power projects and effective crisis management. He reflected on the economic conditions during his tenure, recalling, “In my October 21 speech, I detailed the situation with electricity prices. In 2017, electricity bills were lower, and people lived comfortably. Vegetables were available for ten rupees per kilogram.” The former Prime Minister also noted his government’s success in stabilizing the dollar at 104 rupees for four years, contrasting it with the current situation where electricity bills have surged from 1,600 rupees to 18,000 rupees.
Sharif praised his daughter Maryam Nawaz for her efforts to reduce flour prices and her work on health and sanitation since her return. Sharif reiterated his grievance over his disqualification from office, lamenting, “A few judges dismissed me for not taking a salary of 10,000 dirhams from my son. I still ask today, why was I removed? Those who removed me committed an injustice and a crime against the country.”
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