ISLAMABAD
\nA coalition of six opposition parties, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday demanded an investigation into alleged economic irregularities highlighted in a recent International Monetary Fund\u2019s (IMF) report.
\nAddressing a press conference along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Taimur Khan Jhagra, former Sindh governor criticised the incumbent government for failing to issue any clarification more than 48 hours after the IMF\u2019s report surfaced.
\n\u201cThe government representatives had not denied or responded to the IMF\u2019s findings despite repeated calls,\u201d he said, questioning why the administration \u201ckept the IMF report hidden for three months\u201d when, according to him, \u201cthe IMF had made the release of the report a condition for receiving the next tranche.\u201d
\nThe IMF, in its long-awaited Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Assessment (GCDA), warned that persistent corruption and weak institutions continue to undermine the country\u2019s economic development even as it stabilises under an Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
\nThe GCDA seeks an end to special treatment for a few influential public sector entities in direct government contracts.<\/p>\n
The report, publication of which is a precondition for the IMF executive board\u2019s approval of a $1.2 billion disbursement next month, estimated that Pakistan could boost economic growth by about 5% to 6.5% over five years if it implements a package of governance reforms beginning within the next three to six months.<\/p>\n
It also recommends tighter limits on the government\u2019s financial powers without greater parliamentary oversight and streamlining of anti-corruption agencies. The government had been delaying the publication of the report since August.
\nSpeaking to journalists today, Zubair \u2014 who left the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) \u2014 said the opposition was formally seeking a probe into the \u201cirregularities documented in the report\u201d, adding that the public was already suffering under the burden of inflation.
\nZubair also reiterated his criticism of cases lodged against the PTI founder Imran Khan, terming them \u201cfalse, fabricated and baseless\u201d.
\nFor his part, Jhagra said the IMF had explicitly raised concerns about corruption and political interference in Pakistan\u2019s institutions.
\n\u201cThe IMF is saying there is corruption in Pakistan,\u201d he remarked. \u201cIt [IMF] says institutional performance comes under political pressure.\u201d He added that investors were hesitant because \u201cjudicial institutions are perceived as corrupt\u201d and that such an environment discouraged investment.
\nJhagra said the report, dated November 2025, pointed out that Pakistan\u2019s \u201ctransfer culture\u201d functioned as a form of punishment within the system. He emphasised that accountability for all was essential, noting that \u201cno one in the world enjoys lifelong immunity.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD A coalition of six opposition parties, under the banner of Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), on Saturday demanded an investigation into alleged economic irregularities highlighted in a recent International Monetary Fund\u2019s (IMF) report. Addressing a press conference along with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Taimur Khan Jhagra, former Sindh governor criticised the incumbent government for failing […]<\/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-516123","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n