ISLAMABAD: PTI leader Shaukat Tarin has allegedly asked Punjab Finance Minister Mohsin Leghari to withdraw from International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) deal, just two days after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government backtracked from it. KP and Punjab provinces are under PTI’s control and there have been repeated instances where federation and provinces have had differences and it all started in April when Imran Khan was ousted.

Leaked audio came to fore on day that international lender’s executive board is scheduled to meet for considering Pakistan’s request of releasing $ 1.2 billion tranche under Extended Fund Facility (EFF).  Economic experts expect IMF deal to go through despite setbacks as all prerequisites have been met, however, if board decides against releasing trance, it will deal a huge blow to country’s already faltering economy.

KP government which is completely under PTI’s control has already written letter, but Punjab which PTI rules in coalition with PML-Q is yet to write it.  In a press conference later, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said Tarin being a former finance minister understands country’s economy and therefore, he didn’t suggest anything wrong. “He told both finance ministers to tell federal government they should go back to IMF and inform them that we-our provinces have been hit by flood and it is not a normal situation,” Umar said.

PTI leader said that Tarin asked finance ministers to tell federal government that it should seek a concession in budget surplus that was initially agreed upon. “Will a sensible person believe that this wasn’t a good suggestion? Didn’t Imran Khan, when Covid hit country, ask IMF personally for fiscal space? Wasn’t a debt relief programme started for developing economies?” Umar questioned. He said that it is sensible to seek concession from international lender given current situation. PTI leader said that party has publicly opposed terms on which “imported government” is taking loans from international money lender. “But what is illegal is wire-tapping done on conversation without court order. A criminal offence.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 30 2022

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