Voices within the party condemn PML-N’s ‘delusional policies’

LAHORE:

The PML-N is losing the trust of the people with its “delusional” policies and complete submission to the demands of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said several party leaders from the Centre and Punjab who were not given positions of power.

A PML-N MP from Punjab, requesting anonymity, alleged that the current government was making life difficult even for the upper middle class, let alone the middle and lower middle classes.

He added that the false hope that “after a short period of hardship there will be a prosperous future” found no supporters; in fact, this absurd idea enraged people.

“Successive governments have sold the same illusion.”

He claimed that some notables in his constituency blamed the IMF, others the bureaucrats and there were those who blamed the entire establishment for the economic problems, which was not entirely wrong.

However, he added that sometimes they admit that their government makes bad decisions – which is also a “reality”.

“People are fed up with constantly rising taxes, inflated electricity bills and overall unpredictable inflation.”

The MPA argued that words alone would not allay the concerns of his constituents.

“I feel a growing resentment among the people. Our prime minister seems unaware of the ground realities. It is an open secret that our mandate is not universally accepted. However, if our party continues to antagonise the people with its anti-public policies amidst all this, our government’s time in power is likely to become turbulent.”

The ruling party representative said no justification is sufficient when monthly bills exceed the salary of an average citizen.

He said his party was clearly focused on one issue – PTI.

“Why can’t they (PML-N) move on and focus on service delivery. Increasing taxes and prices of gas, electricity, water and sewage does not qualify as good governance. To be honest, it is a very draconian style of governance.”

The legislator said that even he, as a serving member of parliament and considered a privileged person, is feeling the effects of his government’s actions.

“Ultimately, the blame will lie with (Prime Minister) Shehbaz Sharif without any ifs and buts and he should know that. Admitting these difficulties in the Senate and the National Assembly will not make any difference. If our government is actually aware of the situation, it should start by reducing electricity prices.”

The PML-N leader and former official said his party had not implemented any policies that could suggest it was on the right track.

“It looks like (Prime Minister) Shehbaz Sharif is being held hostage by the elites in Islamabad.”

The PML-N leader said they made sacrifices for Prime Minister Shehbaz — even spending some time in jail — in the hope that the party’s return to power would help change the country’s trajectory to the right path — one where the governance model would be revamped and overhauled.

“(We expected the PML-N to lead the country) on a path where the fundamentals of the economy would be repaired. But the path they have chosen is a one-way ticket to chaos.”

Asked about the Punjab government, he said gone are the days when “visual gimmicks” were in vogue.

“People have matured, they want meaningful change, not some professionally made videos on TikTok.”

He also claimed that his government’s mandate was questionable and that making decisions at the behest of the establishment, aimed at appeasing the IMF, was only making the situation worse.

“PML-N is losing even what little support it has.”

Another PML-N incumbent in Punjab defended his party’s leadership, saying it was taking difficult decisions under pressure from the IMF.

Prime Minister Rana Ihsan Afzal’s coordinator said the government was fully aware of the implications of the steps it had to take.

However, he added that the measures were part of the conditions of the aid package agreed by the IMF.

“Without an agreement with the IMF, it is impossible to achieve stability at the macro level.