Lahore: Senior PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz has said that Pakistan is a “hostage” of the IMF, which is treating the cash-strapped country like a “colony”. Lender. Pakistan’s economy is in dire straits and the country is waiting for the much-needed funds of USD 1.1 billion from the Washington-based International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Pakistan Muslim League (N) said, “IMF is not ready to trust us. Pakistan is hostage of IMF and it is treating the country like a colony. Even if we get out of its clutches Even if we try to come out, we can’t.” (PML-N) leader Maryam while addressing youth and social media workers at Model Town here on Monday.
Dawn newspaper reported that he reprimanded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan for flouting the previous IMF agreement.
“That is why today we are begging for one billion rupees,” said the 49-year-old leader.
He compared Khan’s government with that of his father Nawaz Sharif, saying cricketer-turned-politician Imran was “launched to destroy the country”.
Maryam, who is the daughter of former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has launched several attacks on Khan for selling gifts given to him when he was prime minister and accused him of pushing Pakistan to the brink of default.
he also said imran should be arrested,
He said, “Why is he hiding behind party workers? He wants to become prime minister again. I ask what he has done that they (a reference to power) make him prime minister again. Imran Khan told some people tried to get the support of generals and judges. Now he is counting on the judiciary to return to power.
Pakistan had entered into a US$6 billion IMF program in 2019 during Khan’s government, which was increased to US$7 billion last year.
The ninth review of the program is currently pending with negotiations between IMF officials and the government for the release of USD 1.1 billion.
Pakistan and the IMF are holding virtual talks after 10 days of intense talks between the two sides with the IMF delegation in Islamabad from January 31 to February 9, which failed to reach an agreement.
Pakistan, whose foreign exchange has fallen below USD 3 billion, is in dire need of financial aid and a bailout package from the International Monetary Fund to avoid economic collapse.