Former President and Co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Asif Ali Zardari, fondly recalled utilizing his time in jail to gain a deep understanding of the economy by studying numerous books on the subject.
Asif Ali Zardari speaking at a meeting with PPP ticket holders at Bilawal House in Lahore, expressed firm confidence in his ability to further elevate the nation’s forex reserves to a staggering $100 billion should he be in charge of the economy.
During the conversation, Zardari also brought attention to the military’s budget, asserting that it is not as considerable as it is portrayed and is often a target of unwarranted propaganda.
He underscored his belief in politics as the engine of solutions, saying, “In politics, there is a remedy for everything. Those who lack an understanding of politics lack solutions too.” Zardari held the presidential office from 2008 to 2013.
In a cryptic remark, the PPP co-chairman suggested that “they” cannot organize elections within the upcoming two months, adding that elections would only occur when he gives the green light.
Pakistan is presently grappling with a balance of payments crisis as the economic downturn continues to weigh heavily on the economy. The country’s forex reserves hover just above the $4 billion mark, sufficient to cover less than a month’s imports.
The country has also been unsuccessful in securing external financing as the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) bailout program remains on hold. As a result, Pakistan has no choice but to rejuvenate the program to stave off a potential default.
