SIALKOT: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday admitted that “Pakistan has already defaulted, and we are living in a bankrupt country,” blaming establishment, bureaucracy, and politicians for the current economic situation.
Addressing the annual convocation ceremony of a private college in Sialkot, the minister acknowledged that the country has already gone bankrupt, and that the solution to the country’s problems lies within the country itself and not with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“You may have heard many people talking that Pakistan will go default or a meltdown will take place, but I want to say that Pakistan is not defaulting, it has already happened, and we have to stand on our feet,” said Asif.
He blamed the establishment, bureaucracy, and politicians for the current economic situation.
The PML-N leader suggested that one-fourth of Pakistan’s debt could be paid off if only two golf clubs built on expensive government land were sold.
Khawaja Asif claimed that golf clubs were built on 1500 acres of government land and Pakistan can pay off a quarter of its debt by selling two of its golf clubs.
The defense further said that the solution to all problems exists in the country, but we are looking towards International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Some PTI leaders, notably Fawad Chaudhry and Shiren Mazari, have strongly criticized Khawaja Asif’s views.
Defence Minister of Imported govt admits that Pakistan is already in default. In 10 months they have brought Pak to this sorry state – Shameless lot selling out the country & holding on to power instead of letting nation choose their ldrs thru elections. pic.twitter.com/IHbREnbAhK
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) February 18, 2023
“Defense Minister of imported government admits that Pakistan is already in default. In 10 months, they have brought Pak to this sorry state,” Mazari wrote.
ایک طرف شوکت ترین پر غداری دوسری طرف خواجہ آصف جیسےاصل دشمن ملک سے کھل کھیل رہے ہیں ، اس شخص کا وزیر دفاع ہونا سیکیورٹی رسک ہے اسحق ڈار اس بیان کی فوری وضاحت کریں https://t.co/ezoepGCiRC
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 18, 2023
Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry called the defense minster a ‘security risk’. “One on hand Shaukat Treen is facing sedition case while on the other the real country’s enemy Khawaja Asif is playing with the country’s fate,” he tweeted, asking the finance minister Ishaq Dar to take notice of the defense minster’s statement.
خواجہ آصف، پی ڈی ایم کے ایک اور معاشی ماہر نے پاکستان کو ڈیفالٹ قرار دی دیا۔
اسحاق ڈار ‘ایک اور دوست بھی۔۔’
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) February 18, 2023
