PML-N blasts PPP-led Pak govt over unprecedented corruption and price-hike

LAHORE - Unprecedented corruption and the price-hike have become top concerns of the people of Pakistan, and their sufferings have multiplied after the PPP came to power, PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal has said.

In a statement on Friday, Iqbal said that the tales of corruption scandals were circulating both at home and abroad, which had shaken the confidence of investors, The Nation reported.

“This situation can’t be permitted to continue any longer,” he added.

The government has relied heavily on borrowing and deficits that have made the country’s macro-economic picture very bleak, said the PML-N spokesman, adding that the Accountability Bill for establishing a transparent accountability system in Pakistan remained blocked, as the government refused to agree to setting up of a truly independent accountability body.

The Supreme Court judgments were being flouted in corruption cases, he said, adding that “the government’s strategy of increasing electricity tariff without plugging leakages and a wilful plunder of state-owned enterprises to the tune of over Rs 300 billion through its cronies has placed an unbearable burden on the economy.”

Iqbal maintained that PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif had given tangible suggestions for checking corruption, and improving economic governance in the country. “If Zardari regime does not respond favourably, the PML-N will take all necessary steps to check corruption and misgovernance of the government because Pakistan can’t be put on sale,” he added.

“The PML-N has shown if government possesses political will, corruption can be checked, as no corruption scandal has come against its government in the Punjab in last two and a half years. The PML-N believes that the government must first cut its fat and wasteful expenditure before imposing any new tax because with big holes of corruption whatever will be collected will fall in the hands of corruption mafia. The PML-N’s agenda of self-reliance can solve all problems,” the party spokesman claimed. (ANI)