Former Finance Minister and Pakistan Awaam Party leader Miftah Ismail has claimed that Maulana Fazlur Rehman could serve as Prime Minister of Pakistan for a year and a half.
Speaking on Express News’ ‘Center Stage’ programme, he stated that while discussions are ongoing, it is a positive development that negotiations are taking place as they help prevent protests and violence. He stressed that negotiations must continue.
Ismail proposed that the only solution to Pakistan’s political problems is to hold elections and seek public opinion through their votes.
He further commented that few politicians in Pakistan have Rehman’s stature, suggesting that the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) leader could serve as prime minister for a year and a half.
On economic matters, Ismail criticized the government’s stance on privatization, stating that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) could have been privatized, but the government had no intention of doing so.
Furthermore, he attributed the recent upward trend in the stock market to a reduction in interest rates, and emphasized that the market would continue to rise independently, without the government playing any role.
Ismail also pointed out that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had not implemented any new tax or pension reform. He accused the prime minister of prioritizing political interests over necessary economic reforms.
In terms of imports, the former minister noted a decrease of 7%, but highlighted that current tax rates are very high. He warned that without positive economic indicators, investment in the country would not increase.
