ISLAMABAD: The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Thursday stepped up its criticism of the federal government, accusing it of poor economic management and governance failures, calling for urgent attention to underdeveloped areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and raising concerns over the treatment of its jailed ex-premier Imran Khan.
Speaking at a press conference, PTI MNAs Dawar Kundi, Usama Mela and Awais Jakhar, along with former KP finance minister Taimur Jhagra, criticised what they termed the government’s economic policies and urged reforms in taxation and investment strategy.
Jhagra said Pakistan’s economic situation had worsened due to what he described as poor policy choices, adding that greater emphasis should be placed on attracting investment and addressing structural economic challenges.
He also criticised Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal’s “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, saying it was unlikely to achieve its stated objectives and called for longer-term economic planning.
On foreign affairs, Jhagra termed recently signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between US and Iran a positive development for regional peace and stability, but said Pakistan must first address its internal governance challenges.
Highlighting infrastructure priorities, he said the Diamer-Bhasha and Dasu dam projects were of strategic importance for the country’s energy security and long-term stability.
The PTI leader also raised concerns over taxation policy, claiming that current assessment formulas were overly broad in defining taxable income brackets.
He further alleged inefficiencies in Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) operations and criticised procurement of official vehicles despite what he described as weak revenue performance.
Jhagra also criticised the government for not passing on reductions in global oil prices to domestic consumers.
He further claimed that provincial development budgets for Punjab and Sindh had been reduced.
Regarding PTI founder Imran Khan, Jhagra alleged that he was being held in solitary confinement and that his family and legal representatives were not being allowed regular access despite court directions.
He also said Khan’s medical condition required attention, and compared his treatment with that of other political leaders who had been allowed foreign medical travel in the past.
He further claimed that outstanding financial dues owed to KP remained unpaid by the federal government.
Separately, PTI MNA Kundi criticised what he called the neglect of southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging greater federal attention to underdeveloped regions.
Kundi said that although the federal government collected significant revenue from KP, no university had been established in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), and alleged that educational development in the region had been deliberately slow.
He also pointed to challenges in making Gwadar and Karachi ports fully operational and said greater focus was needed on the development of historically neglected areas.
Kundi added that KP allocates Rs17 billion annually for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In a separate statement, PTI spokesman Sheikh Waqas Akram severely criticised delays in cases involving ex-premier Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, and reiterated demands for relief in energy pricing and release of political detainees.
He welcomed US-Iran diplomatic engagement but said domestic economic and political issues required urgent attention, while reiterating PTI’s call for Imran Khan’s release for political reconciliation.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026