3 years of mismanagement, incompetence and corruption, says Sherry Rehman

Islamabad: Discussing PTI government’s last three years, PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman said, “These three years of PTI government have been a story of rampant corruption, serial mismanagement and record-breaking corruption. The government needs to share its progress with the country as this is the same government which had promised to eradicate corruption from the country and bring a change in three months. So, it’s only fair that people are updated about their progress”.

“Three years have passed and the promises that were meant to be fulfilled in 90 days, are still not fulfilled. The so called tabdeeli that we have seen in the past three years, is unprecedented. Never in the history of Pakistan have we seen this kind of inflation, corruption and unemployment. Unemployment rate has jumped from 6.2% to 15% while poverty has increased more than 30%. Inflation in Pakistan is reaching new heights every day and Tabahi Sarkar is busy presenting dubious figures to mislead the nation. Why is the government not taking responsibility?” she asked.

She said, “Be it sugar, BRT, wheat, LNG, petrol, medicines or the billion trees tsunami; the government has been involved in all kinds of corruption and scandals but unfortunately there has been no accountability as that is only reserved for the opposition in this Naya Pakistan. Our public debt is equivalent to 98% of our GDP while our circular debt has gone up from Rs1.1 trillion to Rs2.5 trillion. It is shocking that this government has been getting away with so much”.

“Prices of essential items are through the roof. Food inflation is in the double digits and staples like wheat and sugar has become unaffordable. Just last month, prices of wheat and sugar rose by 15% & 23% respectively. Then the added cost of petrol, electricity, gas and indirect taxes is making survival difficult for people. High petrol prices are further fuelling the inflation rate on a weekly basis as petrol prices have been increased from 95 rupees per litre to 120 rupees per litre in the past three years. How is this fair on the people?” she questioned.

She said, “Due to poor planning, mismanagement, and delays in the import of LNG spot cargoes, the government has caused massive losses worth Rs 10.6b this fiscal year. This could have been avoided and billions could have been saved had they purchased LNG early in the year. Since 2018, electricity tariffs have been hiked by a whopping 40% and now Tabahi Sarkar will soon impose an across-the-board electricity tariff of Rs 3.34/unit. Previously, a Rs 1.95/unit tariff added a burden of billions on consumers”.

“The ambiguity in government’s Covid policy has led to widespread public disregard for social distancing procedures which has only made the situation worse. Due to federal government’s incompetence and serial mismanagement, Pakistan faced a major COVID vaccine crisis, resulting in second dose delays but once again the government has shown a lack of decisiveness,” she added.

Addressing the government’s alleged inability to forge unity for the federation on key issues like water deficits, climate change and equitable distribution of federal resources, she said, “We need national unity to pull through these testing time as it is unfortunate that this government is unwilling and unable to see the needs of this poor country. The fact that the PM Attended only 7, out of a total of 79 sittings of the National Assembly this year speaks a lot. He needs to give up his ego and come to the parliament”.

“People want relief from this government and it is rather shameful that they have to pay for Tabahi Sarkar’s bad governance. The country cannot be run through ordinances, and if the government is struggling then it should resign and not let the people suffer. They must take responsibility for their actions,” concluded Vice President PPPP Senator Sherry Rehman.