Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government’s track record on development and economic stability, questioning the absence of major public projects under Imran Khan’s leadership.
Speaking to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters in New York, Nawaz called on Imran to ‘name a single project initiated for Pakistan’s progress.’
Sharif contrasted the PTI’s record with the PML-N’s work in Punjab, where, he stated, his government had provided Rs 40-50 billion in relief on electricity bills.
He further pointed out that the PML-N’s administration expanded Pakistan’s motorway network, including the first and most recent motorways connecting cities like Peshawar, Lahore, and Multan. “We took the growth rate to 5.8% and aimed for 7%,” Nawaz said, claiming that PML-N’s 2018 tenure ended with the dollar at Rs104 and an interest rate of 5.25%. He balmed the PTI for pushing the dollar above Rs300 and raising interest rates to 23%, leading to economic setbacks. Nawaz also highlighted that during his tenure, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves reached record highs, and the country was able to distance itself from the IMF.