ISLAMABAD (PEN) : Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has criticized the current government, asserting that the country will continue to face paralysis as long as the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) exists. Speaking to the media, Abbasi condemned the government for initially promising to dissolve NAB but instead strengthening it through an ordinance after assuming power.
He highlighted the contradictory statements from NAB officials regarding cases involving political figures, questioning the justification behind imprisoning numerous individuals. Abbasi also criticized the government’s fiscal policies, including what he described as excessive taxation leading to a detrimental impact on exports.
Moreover, he expressed concerns over the unchecked smuggling of petrol, diesel, LPG, and cigarettes, noting the absence of effective measures to curb these illegal activities. Recently forming his own party along with Miftah Ismail, Abbasi and Ismail further criticized the federal budget for lacking reforms and burdening the salaried class. They called for reductions in government expenditures, crackdowns on smuggling, and incentives to boost industrial exports.
