Islamabad, April 02, 2023 (PPI-OT):People from different walks of life have expressed serious concern on political and constitutional crisis regarding elections in the country. Participating in different programmes of Radio Pakistan, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Commerce Rana Ihsan Afzal said fiscal mismanagement and unfair use of debts always result in poor economic outcomes. He said the current devaluation of rupee was due to the fact that last govt did not take steps it should have taken.
To a question about coalition government’s demand for full court hearing of the case regarding elections, he said it will ensure transparency and confidence of all the political parties. PML-N leader Chaudhry Naeem Karim said split elections will push the country toward turmoil. He said if there is any government in Punjab as a result of elections today, it will have impact on National Assembly elections afterwards. Therefore, elections should be held simultaneously across the country in line with the Constitution.
Senior Journalist Nawaz Raza said political instability leads to economic instability. He said some elements want to de-stabilize the government and if there is instability it will have negative impact on the economy. Analyst Altaf Mujahid said the 1973 Constitution was a unanimously chalked out law in which contours of every state institution are defined. He said the supremacy of the Constitution and economic stability of the country is need of the hour.
Lahore-based Economist Liaquat Ali Gohar said freedom is linked with economic development and stability. He said repetitive elections in phases will wreak a heavy financial cost on our already frailing economy. He said elections should be held simultaneously and all political parties should wait for the general elections and focus on devising an economic strategy for the development of the country
Lahore-based senior journalist Khalid Qayyum said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is striving hard to bring back economic stability in the country. He said unfortunately, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, through his chaotic politics, planted economic land mines to ruin the country’s economy. He opined that country would have defaulted had Imran Khan not been ousted from the power through the no-confidence motion in a democratic and constitutional manner.
Analyst from Quetta Saleem Shahid said holding elections in frictions will have adverse impact on the already fragile economy of the country. He said in view of prevailing economic situation in the country, it is more advisable that there should be simultaneous polls in the whole country. He further said that the precarious security situation, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also warrants that poll should be held in October as per announcement of the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Economist Professor Muhammad Ari urged all the political forces to join hands in strengthening economy and refrain from the politics of chaos and uncertainty. He said immediate and separate polls will further aggravate the economic woes of Pakistan. He said the country is passing through testing times in which the government should focus on stabilizing economy and providing relief to the people in upcoming budget. He said we should go for elections once the agreement with the IMF is finalized. He said the PTI-led previous regime enhanced the debt burden of Pakistan.
Analyst Sher Ali Khalti said political stability is vital for economic stability in the country. He said dollar rate can surge to 500 rupees if economy does not stabilize. He said if this situation arises it will further enhance difficulties for the poor. Hence, all the politicians should sit on the dialogue table to find common grounds to steer the country out of the current economic and political crises.
Responding to a question, Sher Ali Khalti said country cannot afford the politics of sit-ins and protest demonstrations. He emphasized the need for strengthening the agriculture sector and facilitating the industry to general employment in the country.
For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk