SIALKOT:
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan could eliminate its dependence on the IMF if it managed to reduce corruption by 50 percent.
Addressing industrialists in Sialkot, Asif said reducing corruption would unlock Pakistan’s potential to chart its own path of development and economic independence.
He added that such a change would eliminate the need for IMF support and lead the country towards long-term progress.
The Defense Minister noted that Pakistan had come under considerable pressure from the IMF over the past year, with the country struggling to meet the requirements set by the global lender.
He remained optimistic that domestic reforms and reducing corruption could help stabilize the nation’s finances.
Asif emphasized the importance of political reforms, citing the recent reduction of the policy rate by 9 percent as a positive step towards economic improvement.
Additionally, the minister spoke about the impact of regional issues on Pakistan’s economy, acknowledging that external factors also play a crucial role in the nation’s challenges.
He cited the development of the Sialkot airport, highlighting the success of public-private partnerships, a model that had proven effective in the city.
He explained that this model was an example of how cooperation between the private sector and the government could result in tangible progress and infrastructure development, setting a benchmark for other parts of the country.
