PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations, Shafi Jan has strongly criticized federal economic policies, stating that the government is now overwhelmed by mounting debt. He termed the surge in national debt to Rs. 79.9 trillion within just eight months as deeply alarming.
He noted that escalating debt-servicing costs have severely strained national resources, with interest payments now exceeding the combined allocation for defense and development spending.
Shafi Jan further stated that rising tensions in the Middle East have added another layer of complexity to Pakistan’s fragile economic situation. He attributed the increase in oil and fertilizer prices to flawed federal policies, warning that both agriculture and industry are now under intense pressure.
On revenue performance, he said the Federal Board of Revenue has failed to meet its targets, while the tax-to-GDP ratio remains stagnant. He added that monetary policy challenges have intensified for the State Bank, and the country’s economic direction appears increasingly uncertain—pushing Pakistan deeper into crisis.
He maintained that during Imran Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister, the economy remained stable, industries were operational, and job opportunities were expanding. In contrast, he said, the current federal government has presided over a fresh wave of inflation and a worsening energy crisis, further eroding the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.
Shafi Jan further stated that the burden of federal economic failures is now being shifted onto provincial economies, with direct and adverse implications for provincial development projects.
