PM Shahbaz Sharif said that PTI lowered fuel prices deliberately after sniffing defeat. PM said to a group of PML-N senate members that some of his “companions” suggested making electoral reforms and announcing elections but the government intends to complete its constitutional term.
“We faced many challenges when I took oath as the prime minister,” said the premier.
He said that the former government had signed a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to distribute the international prices of oil and gas.
The PM further said that the terms with the IMF had been finalized and the deal with the Fund will close soon, omitting any other conditions set by the global lender.
Adding to his criticism of the PTI government as PTI lowered fuel prices after sniffing defeat, he said that the previous government “never felt strongly about doing anything for widows and the poor”.
“They saw their defeat in March and so they had no choice but to lower fuel prices,” the prime minister said, adding that they just immediately made the decision.
The previous government signed petroleum charges of Rs30 with the IMF, he said.
Speaking of lost opportunities, the premier said that “billions and trillions of treasures” are buried in Reko Diq “but we could not dig them out”.
“This is the fault of the leadership which dealt with the matter in the wrong way,” he said.
The premier also said that the PTI is facing scandals of gas and wheat exports because “They gave billions in subsidies, emptied the , and the cartels had a field day,” he said.
He added that “it will no do good to look back and cry”.
PM Shahbaz, referring to the recently inked $2.3bn loan agreement with a Chinese consortium of banks, said: “How long will China be able to help us?”
