The IMF package for Pakistan is expected to become a hot issue in the National Assembly on Monday (today) as the leading opposition parties have expressed their reservations on the package.
MNAs from PML (N) and the PML (Q) would make formal demand on the floor of the house to brief the parliamentarians on the IMF conditionalities linked with its programme, leaders in the two parties said on Sunday.
The PML (N) has been very critical on the loan being obtained from the IMF and said that economic plan of the PPP had failed. The PPP must have done a proper homework before it approached the IMF for a bailout package.
The friendly countries also refused to give direct assistance to Pakistan because they want their assistance properly monitored by the IMF. PML (N) leader said that the PPP government had failed to improve the country image. "Wrong signals were given to the international community due to which the economic revival plan remained unable to get direct assistance from the friendly countries," he said.
PML-Q is also of the view that "going blindly" to the IMF would not give any benefit to the country in short and long terms. The IMF loans could give some relief to the government, but they could not do any better for the present and coming generations.
A PML (Q) senator said that there was special of the upper house of the parliament, but it was not informed about the terms and conditions on the basis of which Pakistan is going to obtain the IMF loans. "Some senators gave very good and practical suggestions, but the government had totally ignored their voice," he said. Some of the PML (N) leaders are geared up to demand from the government a parliamentary committee to monitor the use of the loans. The setting up of the committee would be great help in improving the government credibility and the friendly countries would help more to steer Pakistan out of the economic crises.
He said that IMF loans had always played havoc with the poor masses. "Many think that IMF is now a reformed institutions, but the reality, when unfolds itself, will be harsh to swallow. The government is not taking steps in right direction and if it went ahead with the present irresponsible policies, the worst would come, he added.
Comments
Comments are closed.