PTI leader fears Ahsan Iqbal’s ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative heading for crash landing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) strongly criticized the federal government economic policies that what they believed have pushed the country's once fast-growing economy into a tailspin, urging it to prioritize the long-neglected and underdeveloped southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and address their chronic challenges without further delay.

Addressing a press conference, flanked by PTI Members of the National Assembly Dawar Khan Kundi, Usama Mela, and Awais Jakhar, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra described the agreement between the US and Iran as a welcome development for peace in the region and broader stability, but stressed that Pakistan must first put its own affairs in order to move forward.

He urged the government to reform the tax system and revive the economy, arguing that greater emphasis should be placed on attracting investment to effectively address the country's mounting challenges.

Jhagra claimed that Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal's much-publicised "Uraan Pakistan" initiative was heading for a crash landing and advised those in power to abandon short-term fixes in favour of sustainable economic policies capable of steering the country out of what he termed a deep economic quagmire caused by the incompetence of its economic managers.

Highlighting the importance of water infrastructure, he said the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dams were strategic national projects crucial for Pakistan's security, energy needs, and long-term stability.

Jhagra said that the federal government owed KP billions of rupees in outstanding payments. Criticising the government's taxation policies, he remarked, "According to the government's formula, a person earning Rs8,500 is considered wealthy, while someone earning Rs8,400 is classified as poor."

Jhagra criticised the government for not reducing domestic fuel prices despite a significant decline in global oil prices, adding that the Punjab government's budget had been reduced by Rs500 billion, while Sindh's budget had been cut by more than Rs200 billion.

Jhagra said reports were circulating that Ishaq Dar was likely to be appointed as the country's finance minister. On the occasion, Dawar Khan Kundi criticised the federal government for neglecting the southern districts of KP and demanded that greater attention be given to these underdeveloped regions to bring them at par with the rest of the country.

PTI MNA stated that although the federal government receives Rs200 billion annually from KP, not a single university has been established in the former FATA region. He added that, in his view, educational institutions have deliberately been prevented from being established in the area.