PESHAWAR: Amun Taraqqi Party (ATP) chairman Muhammad Faiq Shah said the country was passing through a critical phase of its history as political instability and anarchy had ruined the economy. Talking to a delegation of traders and businessmen here at the party’s central office on Tuesday, Shah said that political stability was a prerequisite for economic stability. He said the next government after the general election would have to cope with major economic challenges which were the result of the worst policies pursued by the present coalition government and preceding regimes. Our Correspondent
Shah said no provision was made in the budget for FY 2023-24 to uplift the underprivileged of segments of the society.
He demanded of the government to give smaller provinces their due shares in national resources.
The ATP chairman said the country’s economy was still in dire straits, hoping that the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s programme would soon be restored.
He maintained that the IMF programme’s restoration was vital for the country as it was grappling with rising debt and other economic challenges.
Shah lauded the government for announcing the increase in the salary of its employees in the face of skyrocketing inflation, adding that this would give them some relief to cope with the backbreaking inflation.
The party leader said the May 9 mayhem had shaken the security foundation of the country, calling for the strict punishment for the perpetrators of violence in accordance with the law.
He demanded that the masterminds and the facilitators of the May 9 vandalism and arson attacks on the state buildings and military installations should be put in the dock.
“The May 9 vandalism was the continuation of the 2014 attacks on the state buildings,” he believed.
The ATP chairman expressed concern over the worsening law and order and rising attacks on the police force in KP, asking the provincial government to take steps to beef up security and bring the situation under control.
He asked the government to activate the price control mechanism in order to control inflation and bring down the rates of the daily use items.
He said that the government could provide relief to the people by taking action against the hoarders and profiteers.
