President Asif Ali Zardari sharply criticized the PML-N government for mishandling the IMF deal and relying on loans.
“The IMF loans are a test for the public,” Zardari stated, accusing the PML-N of mismanaging the government. “We know how to form and dismantle governments,” he asserted, promising decisive action from the PPP.
Party leaders expressed concerns about the lack of cooperation from the Punjab and federal governments. “We are not getting our full rights,” one leader complained, highlighting unresolved electoral issues.
Zardari assured the leaders that he would address their grievances directly and emphasized his commitment to active engagement in Islamabad and Lahore. He underscored the PPP’s unparalleled capability in Pakistani politics, interpreting criticism of the party as a form of recognition.
He directed the PPP Punjab leadership to collaborate on resolving internal issues and reaffirmed, “We are conducting a test of the people by taking IMF loans. The Muslim League (N) is not in power. We know how to form and dismantle governments. We will not abandon our people.”
Zardari urged PPP workers to prepare for intensified efforts, particularly in promoting youth leadership within the party. He also called for a comprehensive report on the party’s organizational structure, stressing the need to move beyond closed-room politics and take proactive steps forward.
Earlier, President Zardari had announced the government’s plan to impose taxes on agricultural income in accordance with IMF conditions. This initiative will be managed by provincial governments, targeting large landholding farmers based on their profitability and expenditures.
Zardari made these remarks during the Professor Waris Mir Memorial Seminar in Lahore, where he also discussed media and democracy issues. He highlighted the country’s economic challenges and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach and sound financial policies to drive national development, particularly modernizing the agricultural sector.