Caretaker Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar recently addressed speculations regarding her comments about accepting the role of finance minister. She needed to clarify that her remarks were taken out of context and misinterpreted by the public.
Shamshad Akhtar, in a video clarification, explained that her original statement was about the numerous questions she received about her decision to accept the challenging role of finance minister during such tumultuous economic times. Rather than expressing regret, Akhtar emphasized her pride and sense of duty in serving Pakistan during this crucial period. The video, highlighting her commitment, was shared by Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on the now-defunct social platform X.
Earlier, circulating reports suggested that during her interaction with the Senate’s Standing Committee on Finance, Akhtar had expressed second thoughts about her decision to join the cabinet. However, it was also noted that such comments were made in jest. During this meeting, she candidly expressed her concerns about the dire state of the economy, noting it to be more challenging than she initially anticipated. Despite the setbacks, she assured the committee of the caretaker government’s commitment to laying a clear roadmap for economic recovery.
Stance on the IMF Agreements
Furthermore, during a press briefing in Islamabad, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar touched upon the sensitive subject of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreements. She clarified that the current agreement framework left no room for additional subsidies. However, she also conveyed the government’s deep commitment to the welfare of the nation’s underprivileged, emphasizing that measures would be taken to mitigate any additional challenges this vulnerable demographic faces.
