Shahid, Miftah lambast govt policies, call for public-focused reforms

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Awaam Pakistan Party (APP) Chairman condemned the current government’s budgetary approach, urging that fiscal policies should prioritize the needs of the general public rather than the elite.

Speaking during a visit to North Nazimabad Town, Abbasi highlighted that the less privileged segments of society are suffering more now than in past decades. He reiterated that the APP was founded with a mission to genuinely serve the people of Pakistan.

Abbasi sharply criticized the provincial government for neglecting basic necessities such as water supply and infrastructure, with special emphasis on the deteriorating green zones of Karachi. He warned that recent earthquake tremors in Karachi are a wake-up call, underscoring the urgent need for both immediate and long-term strategic planning to safeguard Pakistan’s economic hub.

Joining him, APP Secretary General and former Finance Minister Miftah Ismail pointed to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) tough conditions on Pakistan as a predictable outcome of the government’s failure to meet reform expectations. He stressed that mismanagement is driving up electricity costs, while line losses remain unchecked. Despite global oil prices falling, Pakistan’s fuel prices have not been reduced, adding to inflationary pressures.

Ismail criticized the imposition of taxes on the salaried class in the previous budget and lamented the plight of farmers who are forced to sell wheat at throwaway prices. He warned that the wheat crisis is imminent, with the government lacking a clear response strategy.

Both leaders voiced concerns over Karachi’s continued neglect in terms of basic public services, accusing local authorities of offering only hollow slogans while citizens endure hardships.

The event was hosted by Syed Atif Muhammad Ali, President of Awaam Pakistan North Nazimabad Town, and attended by senior party figures including Sheikh Salahuddin, Convener of the Karachi Cabinet for APP and former National Assembly member. Other notable attendees included Syed Tauseef Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Kashif, Khalid Akhtar, Abdul Qadir Moosani, Mohsin Ismail, Nouman ur Rehman, Bilal Atif, Muhammad Nouman Akhtar, and Muhammad Rafi Khan.

The gathering served as a platform for open dialogue on Karachi’s pressing challenges such as governance deficits, infrastructure decay, and the need for meaningful policy reforms. Awaam Pakistan’s leadership reaffirmed its dedication to inclusive engagement and citizen-focused solutions, signaling the party’s growing grassroots presence across Karachi’s neighborhoods.