London, 9 September 2024 (TDI): In a fiery address at a Defence Day event organized by the Overseas Pakistani Foundation at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel in South Kensington, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar took aim at the International Monetary Fund, accusing it of deliberately delaying disbursement of funds to Pakistan following the Pakistan Democratic Movement’s ascension to power, prompting speculation that the country was on the brink of default.
“In the past two and a half years, attempts have been made to sabotage Pakistan’s critical negotiations with the IMF,” Dar, who also serves as Foreign Minister, declared.
He further questioned, why shouldn’t I raise a finger when our technical review is complete … why are they wasting our time?
Dar, who was not in charge of the finance ministry during the period he referred to, suggested that geopolitics had a role to play in the alleged delay.
I was in the last government for 11 months, and reviews kept going on. My assessment is they wanted Pakistan to default, he added.
Dar said that our politicians should be wary of this. Pakistan is a nuclear state. Every time it goes towards economic success, its speed is hindered. Conventional wars are over.
Big Crime
He said that the disbursement was delayed for 8 months and that is a big crime in the economic life of a country.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s economic trajectory, Dar underscored efforts by his government to revive the economy, pointing to the country’s growth during the Nawaz Sharif administration from 2013 to 2017, when Pakistan was ranked the 24th largest economy globally.
He expressed concerns over the impact of political instability since 2018 but reaffirmed commitment to restoring economic development, combating inflation, and attracting foreign investment.
Read Also: $7 Billion IMF Package to Ensure Economic Stability: Aurangzeb
He also solicited suggestions for enhancing trade ties between the UK and Pakistan and urged younger British Pakistanis to maintain connections to their heritage, announcing a new visa-free policy for expatriates.
During his remarks at the Defence Day event, Dar drew a stark contrast between the political culture in the UK and Pakistan, praising the maturity of British parliamentarians.
Look at the politics in the UK. They fight for political reasons in the Upper House, on issues and policies related to the public. But when they come out, they can have coffee and tea together, he said.
He also praised the sacrifices of Pakistan’s military personnel and reiterated his party’s support, under Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, for the military operation Zarb-i-Azb, despite its financial burdens.
