Former finance minister and PML-N leader Miftah Ismail has termed the coalition government’s decision to not increase the petroleum development levy (PDL) this month without International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) approval, “reckless”.
“Not increasing PDL this month without IMF approval is reckless, but what PTI did with our economy was unforgivable,” said Miftah on the recent cut in petroleum prices while responding to PTI Senator and former finance minister Shaukat Tarin on Twitter. “You agreed to increase the sales tax to 17% but reduced it to zero. You agreed to raise petrol levy every month by Rs4 to Rs30 but brought it to zero, you agreed to not give amnesty but gave one anyway,” said the Miftah. He added that the PTI government gave an “unfunded, unsustainable subsidy on petrol”.
Miftah went on to say that the PTI nearly bankrupted Pakistan. However, when he took over and went to the IMF, the country was “saved” from default.
ISHAQ DAR VOWS MORE RELIEF FOR MASSES
Miftah Ismail recently resigned from his ministry after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed Ishaq Dar as country’s new finance minister. The federal government this week slashed petrol price by Rs12.63 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs12.13 per litre. Giving massive relief to the inflation-stricken people of the country. Newly-appointed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar made the announcement.
Tarin had tweeted screenshots of Miftah-related tickers in response to Dar’s return and a decline in gasoline prices. According to the PTI leader, the Imran Khan-led administration has been “blamed for violating IMF conditions.”
He further alleged that Miftah stated that the existing government “did not wait for clearance from the MD IMF before announcing the fuel prices.” “Clear double language,” Tarin observed. The price of petrol lowered by Rs12.63 a litre earlier this week. While both the PTI and PML-N leaders were discussing the recent decline in petrol prices. Dar stated that the decision to lower petroleum prices was made after discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
