Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has extended his stay in London and will be there till Sunday. The prime minister and several federal ministers have been holding lengthy meetings with self-exiled party leader Nawaz Sharif to discuss the political and economic situation.
Now the prime minister and his delegation has decided to spend more time there. It would be five days since the prime minister and his several ministers will be abroad, leaving the nation in disarray. The government needs to tackle serious economic challenges amid mounting pressure but has been dragging its feet on taking tough decisions.
There are been immense criticism whether key decisions will still be taken in London. It has also raised questions whether the country has two prime ministers. It is certain that the Shehbaz Sharif is still highly reliant on his elder brother for taking important decisions. This is evident from the act that the prime minister and his cabinet rushed to London to seek advice and find a way out of the political quagmire.
There are also concerns that former finance minister Ishaq Dar is pulling the shots on taking economic decisions rather than incumbent Miftah Ismail. Even the decision on raising petrol prices and upcoming talks with IMF are been discussed there. The crucial decision of whether the coalition government will remain or elections will be held will also be taken there.
The PTI has criticized PM Shehbaz Sharif for holding consultations with Nawaz Sharif, who has been declared an absconder after he left the country on the pretext of seeking medical treatment and never returned. The PML-N leadership will certainly attempt to convince Nawaz Sharif to return home before the next elections if the PML-N has any chance of winning.
The absence of cabinet members suggests that they are oblivious of the economic situation despite the blaring alarms. It is quite clear that PML-N leaders including the prime minister have other priorities than running the state of affairs. There has no indication whether the PML-N leadership is ready to bring economic reforms. The country needs prudent leadership which can take tough economic decisions for the sake of the nation.
