New IMF programme: major political parties say government never consulted them

Mainstream political parties on Wednesday dismissed the government claim that they have been taken into confidence with respect to approaching International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a new programme. As the ruling alliance is going to complete its five-year tenure and the general elections are approaching nearer, Minister of State for Finance Saleem Mandviwalla stated that the decision about the new IMF programme would be taken by the political leadership of the country.
However, the major opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and a key coalition partner-Awami National Party (ANP) expressed ignorance of any such contact by the government.
Talking to Business Recorder ANP's secretary information Senator Zahid Khan expressed his ignorance about any such contact with his party leadership regarding the government plan to approach IMF. "In fact, we are not aware of the government's plan to approach IMF for a new programme. So, if we don't know about any such development...it means we have not been taken into confidence," he stated in categorical terms.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secretary-general Dr Arif Alvi categorically stated that his party was not in favour to make further burden on the exchequer by approaching the IMF for a fresh programme. "I am not aware of any such contact by the Finance Minister with the party leadership," he said, adding that PPP led coalition government should not punish the nation for its past five-year corruption. He said that it would be very unfortunate if the government is once again planning to go for IMF programme that too at a time when it is going to complete its tenure.
When contacted, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leaders including deputy secretary-general Ahsan Iqbal, secretary information Mushahidullah Khan and the party's former finance minister Sartaj Aziz also said that they were not aware of the development and referred this correspondent to Ishaq Dar.