Information Minister alleges attempt to undermine GSP Plus status, says government prevented non-compliance
Ataullah Tarar gives a press conference on Thursday, March 26, 2026. PHOTO: SCREEN CAPTURE
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Thursday accused the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s children of acting against Pakistan’s national and economic interests, alleging efforts to damage the country’s global standing and stability.
At a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said that many people in Pakistan had made sacrifices for the country, but claimed that the PTI had not.
“What kind of sacrifice is it to steal a watch? Accepting foreign funding? £190m corruption? What kind of sacrifice is this?” said.
“In this country, politicians have made sacrifices beyond their means. There have been chants of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ to save the country,” he added. “No one wanted ruin to come to Pakistan because they themselves were ruined… what a shame!”
Tarar said the government had invited Imran Khan’s children to return to Pakistan using the National Identity Card for Pakistan Overseas (NICOP), but alleged that they chose other options.
“We asked the PTI founder’s sons to come to Pakistan with NICOP, but they remained focused on other options,” he said. “You made up stories saying we would arrest you, but we said we would welcome you.”
The minister also criticized the PTI’s economic record, alleging that the party had brought Pakistan to the brink of default during his tenure.
“The PTI had brought Pakistan to the brink of default,” he said, adding that prayers or wishes for a sovereign default were unacceptable.
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“If the nation defaults, yes, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will suffer, but more than that, it is the common man who will suffer,” Tarar said. “The white-collar workers, the manual workers and the salaried workers of the country would all suffer.”
He claimed Pakistan avoided default under the current PML-N-led government and said the World Bank had praised the country’s economic model.
Tarar also criticized the PTI’s housing promises, saying the party had pledged to build five million homes but instead “caused serious damage to Pakistan” during its four years in power.
Referring to trade issues, he alleged that PTI attempted to undermine Pakistan’s EU GSP Plus trade status in 2024, calling it a deliberate effort to harm exporters and destabilize the economy. He argued that economic conditions had improved under the current government.
“Criticism is everyone’s right, but the dignity of the country must not be compromised,” Tarar said. “No political leader or party is bigger than Pakistan.”
The minister accused foreign activists and former PTI associates, including Arif Aajakia and Zulfi Bukhari, of participating in conspiracies that damaged Pakistan’s image abroad.
“Arif Aajakia runs campaigns for India in the UK. Aajakia has always been seen spreading propaganda against Pakistan,” he said, adding that Zulfi Bukhari and his associates were involved in “conspiracies against Pakistan”.
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Tarar also criticized the PTI’s stance on international issues, saying, “In the PTI accounts, we have never seen a condemnation of Israel,” and accused the party of failing to oppose developments that threaten Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He concluded by affirming Pakistan’s resilience despite political challenges.
“The more conspiracies they hatch against Pakistan, the higher Pakistan will rise,” Tarar said, adding that Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the Middle East was gaining global recognition.
He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for strengthening Pakistan’s international standing, and claimed that the Indian media seemed “concerned” about Pakistan’s rising diplomatic profile.
