PM Khan to take nation into confidence on various issues

SWABI: Speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser on Sunday said Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation next week.

Speaking to media after casting his ballot in Swabi, he announced that a crackdown would soon be launched against hoarders and traders fleecing people.

Mr Qaiser said the PTI government would live up to the expectations of people. He said inflation is temporary and that a propaganda is being made in this regard.

He said there is nothing to worry about and that the prime minister will address the nation next week.

The ruling PTI is facing a storm of criticism from opposition parities after its decision to seek an IMF programme to put the economy back on track.

A day earlier, Minister for Finance Asad Umar said an IMF bailout package was unavoidable for Pakistan, which, according to economic experts, was the only way to put the national economy back on track.

Talking to the state-run TV channel, the minister said the government had to take the decision to approach the International Monetary Fund (IMF) because of the high current account deficit as a result of the wrong economic policies adopted by the past government.

Referring to his meetings with the IMF officials in Indonesia, he said both the sides had expressed the desire that it might be the last bailout package for Pakistan.