Senator Barrister Ali Zafar, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), declared on Thursday that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cannot bulldoze the Constitution.
He expressed strong opposition to the proposed budget during a recent Senate session presided over by Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan Nasar. He said the budget was influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and would be harmful to the nation’s economic progress.
The PTI leader denounced the budget as a “recipe for disaster,” stressing that a 40% tax would impede economic expansion and unfairly impact people who are already having difficulty paying for food and medication.
He emphasized that the budget would not accomplish its goals if the political impasse was not resolved and the mandate was not reinstated.
Zafar contended that the budget was drafted in a state of disarray, highlighting the detrimental effects on the real estate and construction industries. He said that the PTI had successfully handled the economy during the COVID-19 epidemic and that the present strategy was ineffective. He attacked the budget’s preparation in the midst of disarray.
The Senator also accused the Pakistani Election Commission (ECP) of contributing to political instability, placing some of the responsibility there as well. He said that the current economic unrest is the result of the ECP’s activities, particularly the removal of PTI’s mandate.
Mr. Zafar also raised serious concerns about the senators from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not being present during the budget session.
Barrister Ali Zafar called for a more organically driven and balanced approach to economic policy, while reiterating that the Constitution should not be sacrificed in order to comply with IMF dictates.
