Former finance denies reports of new political party | says won\u2019t take part in electoral politics in the future
\n KARACHI
\nPML-N leader Miftah Ismail said on Thursday that Pakistan suffered \u201ca big loss\u201d due to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar\u2019s approach of \u201cgiving a cold shoulder\u201d to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
\n\u201cAll of our experts knew this approach was bound to fail and we have seen its result,\u201d the former finance czar said on Geo News programme \u2018Geo Pakistan\u2019.
\nThis is not the first time that Ismail, who says he was removed at Dar\u2019s behest, went public with his displeasure at the sitting finance minister\u2019s ascension to the position and his criticism of the policies of his successor.
\nEarlier this month, the ex-minister had blamed Dar for orchestrating a campaign to undermine him. \u201cDar used to appear on TV and say he will bring the dollar down,\u201d Ismail had said, adding, \u201che used to make anchors do programmes against me\u201d.
\nDuring the interview today, Ismail said he had the right to defend himself. \u201cI felt it was necessary to respond to comments made against my competence and my policies. And my party has not taken any action against me.\u201d
\nCommenting on the prevailing economic crisis, Ismail said Dar underestimated the IMF\u2019s role which hurt Pakistan\u2019s cause.
\n\u201cDar Sahib, after taking the reins, thought he would fix the economy without the IMF or by scaring the lender to accept Pakistan\u2019s demands, as he had been openly opposing the IMF conditions. He made an attempt and as a result, Pakistan suffered a big loss.\u201d
\nIsmail said it was, however, encouraging to note that the government had consented to IMF\u2019s terms, which, according to him, could pave the way for the betterment of the economy.
\nIn response to a question, the PML-N leader said he was unaware of the circumstances that led Dar to replace him as the finance minister. \u201cBut, I knew for a long time that Dar wanted to return as he had been appearing in TV shows and targeting me in internal party groups.\u201d
\nAt the same time, he also stated that the prime minister who had appointed him had the prerogative to remove him as well. \u201cHence I do not see anything unusual in it.\u201d
\nIsmail recalled that Pakistan\u2019s default risk rose \u201cunacceptably high\u201d when former premier Imran Khan allegedly violated the IMF agreement, adding that the PML-N government (during his tenure as the finance minister) took measures that minimised the risk of bankruptcy.
\nThe former minister said he had decided against taking part in electoral politics. \u201cI will not contest in elections as Pakistan\u2019s interest is more important than my personal political career.\u201d
\nTo a question about a \u201cforum\u201d he and other political leaders were forming ahead of the elections, Ismail said that he had been discussing the idea behind the forum (Emerging Pakistan) with his political fellows, including Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
\n\u201cWe want to leave a legacy that helps our country in the future,\u201d the ex-minister said while explaining the rationale behind the grouping of different political leaders.
\nResponding to a question about being approached by some people in the PTI, the PML-N leader said he had spoken to \u201cfriends in the PTI\u201d and they would be brought to the forum.
\nIsmail further underlined that Pakistan was facing a torrent of issues ranging from health to education and such problems needed measures on an urgent basis.
\n\u201cIf all countries like Bangladesh and India are leaving us behind, then it indicates that Pakistan has a flawed governance model.\u201d
\nHe called for introspection and examination of the country\u2019s own failures.
\n\u201cWe will bring people from across all political parties, seek opinions from people and we will reimagine what we think Pakistan should actually be like,\u201d he said.
\nThe former minister said Pakistan had tried democracy, parliamentary democracy, presidential system, and dictatorship (both Islamic and secular), and \u201cwe realised that decisions in the country are taken by a small group of elites \u2014 the approach that we must review.\u201d
\n\u201cWe want a consensus among all political parties. We believe there should be a pressure group that helps the government improve its performance.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Former finance denies reports of new political party | says won\u2019t take part in electoral politics in the future KARACHI PML-N leader Miftah Ismail said on Thursday that Pakistan suffered \u201ca big loss\u201d due to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar\u2019s approach of \u201cgiving a cold shoulder\u201d to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). \u201cAll of our experts […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-309903","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n