News
Thursday, November 27, 2008
PML-N opposes IMF deal: Ahsan
* PML-N info secy says nation has right to know fundamental attributes of loan-utilisation plan
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern on Wednesday over the government’s decision to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for loans without taking the parliament into confidence. He said that the loan was primarily aimed at restoring confidence of domestic and foreign investors and to preserve social stability, adding that the government had so far failed in presenting any tangible plans to meet these ‘prime’ objectives. Disclose information: He said that the government should disclose information regarding how the country would return the loan within the stipulated time frame. Earlier, the country’s finance adviser had claimed that there were no painful strings attached to the loan. He claimed that the IMF had endorsed Pakistan’s original plan for economic recovery. Ahsan said that the information revealed by the finance adviser was insufficient, adding that the nation had the right to know the fundamental attributes of the plan. He said that despite the government’s repetitive assurances to uphold the supremacy of the parliament, it had not taken it into confidence while finalising this deal. He said that the PML-N demanded the constitution of a parliamentaary committee to ensure transparent and accurate utilisation of this crucial $7.6 billion debt.
Courtesy Daily Times