PML-N leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said early elections during the current economic turmoil will push the country into default.
Speaking on Geo News programme Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath, he said, “Early elections are not the solution to the country’s problems. It will default if handed over to the interim government for three months.”
The former premier said that the government knew the political cost of its decisions and urged “everybody” to prioritise the national interest.
“We will gain nothing by playing politics. If the country moves towards default, which government will steer the country out of this crisis?”
“At least there is a government who is dealing with the situation, and we will go to the masses before elections after solving issues,” Abbasi added.
Read more: No need to declare financial emergency: Miftah Ismail
He said the government is planning to procure coal, LNG, and oil, adding that “the former government made no such arrangements.”
“As of today, we produce 21,000 megawatts (MW) of power; by June 29, this will increase to 29,000 MW, and load shedding will be reduced to less than two hours,” The party leader said.
Earlier, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail rubbished reports that the government was increasing fuel prices, adding that he did not even speak about the petroleum prices in the pre-budget seminar.
In the pre-budget seminar I never even spoke about petroleum prices. Channels running these tickers are doing a disservice to their viewers. There will be no increase in prices today and there is no summary or plan to raise prices.
— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) June 7, 2022
Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Ismail said, “Channels running these tickers are doing a disservice to their viewers. There will be no increase in prices today and there is no summary or plan to raise prices.”
Read more: Miftah Ismail says petroleum prices to increase further
Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also termed the speculation as “absolutely false.” She tweeted, “The government has not decided to increase the price of petrol and diesel further. The people and media are requested not to listen to rumours. There is no shortage of petroleum products in the country. Avoid spreading rumours.”
پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی قیمتوں میں اضافے کی قیاس آرائیاں قطعی جھوٹ ہیں۔حکومت نے پٹرول اور ڈیزل کی قیمت میں مزید اضافے کا کوئی فیصلہ نہیں کیا۔ عوام اور میڈیا سے درخواست ہے کہ افواہوں پرکان نہ دھریں۔ملک میں پٹرولیم مصنوعات کی کوئی قلت نہیں۔ افواہیں پھیلانے سے اجتناب کریں
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) June 7, 2022
The statements came amid reports of another hike in the petrol prices resulting in a terrible rush outside petrol pumps. People feared that the government would announce another hike in POL prices at midnight after increasing them by Rs60 in less than ten days.
