Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has promised to provide relief to the inflation-stricken masses in the upcoming budget 2022-23, but the question is can the government do it?
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has already confessed that the federal budget 2023-24 will be compiled by the government while keeping in view all the constraints facing Pakistan.
However, talking to Minister of State for Finance Aisha Ghous Pasha in Lahore, the PM claimed we brought the economy out of difficult situation to stability.
The Prime Minister said steps are being taken to ensure that the benefit of reduction in petroleum prices reaches the common man.
On the other hand, Ishaq Dar, while speaking to Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials, stated that the government will provide as much relief to the public as possible, but the government can’t do much in the current economic situation.
Speaking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, Dar stated that it is done between a country and the global lender independent of the government.
“The current program was negotiated by the government and we have to continue it,” he said. “The good news is that the (measures for the) ninth review have been completed successfully.”
He noted that the wheel of Pakistan’s economy was sluggish at present which had reduced economic activity. The steep slide of economy has been largely arrested, the finance minister said.
He, however, reiterated that the country will not default.
“Our sovereign payments are being made on time and this is disappointing the internal and external enemies,” the finance minister said, adding that Pakistan will escape the crisis.
“We are taking timely steps for rollover of loans and payments of sovereign debt,” he said.
The government is set to present budget 2023-24 on June 9.
