ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary Leader Senator Irfan Siddiqui has urged opposition political parties to refrain from criticism and instead recommends constructive suggestions for the federal budget 2024-25.
Participating in the budget debate in the Senate, he said, “The opposition must give positive recommendations and suggestion for the budget 2024-25, as political point scoring will not benefit the people and the country.”
Irfan Siddiqui recalled that when PML-N left the government in 2018, inflation rate was at three percent and GDP growth exceeded six percent. In contrast, he added that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government left the country with 39 percent inflation.
He highlighted that overseas Pakistanis have sent more than $34 billion in remittances, reflecting confidence in the incumbent government. He accused the previous government of PTI for accumulating loans in four years equal to the amount borrowed during the last 75 years.
The Minister also defended PML-N’s economic policies, saying that the party, led by Nawaz Sharif, had said goodbye to the IMF. He added that the PTI leadership, during their time, approached the IMF again and inked a tough agreement with it.
Addressing accusations of election rigging, he questioned why opposition is not challenging the election results in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the same Election Commission of Pakistan conducted the polls.
Saddique also accused PTI’s founder of neglecting parliamentary duties and responsibilities, citing the boycott of the election in 2007 and non-attendance in the Public Accounts and Kashmir Committees.
The PML-N leader recounted that despite the Supreme Court Commission’s decision declaring the 2018 elections fair, PTI continued its agitation. The Senator accused the PTI government of corruption, alleging they deposited Rs 60 billion recovered abroad into a private account and wrote to the IMF to stop loans to Pakistan.
He said that increasing the tax net is crucial for increasing national revenue and achieving strong defense, prosperity and progress. He also denounced the PTI leadership for allegedly inciting assaults on government, and defense installations on May 9.
