Former federal finance minister Asad Umar on Monday voiced deep concern over Pakistan’s political and economic direction, calling the current situation a “dangerous political quagmire.” He stressed that all political parties must unite to find a path forward for national stability.
Addressing the media, Umar dismissed the PML-N’s narrative that it sacrificed politics to save the state, asserting that the state was already functioning strongly. He urged the party to reevaluate and reform its political strategies.
He sharply criticised the government’s economic management, pointing to glaring disparities in the national budget. “It feels like there are two Pakistans—over Rs. 1,500 billion has been taken from salaried individuals, while only Rs. 100 million has been collected from traders,” he said.
Umar also condemned the proposed Rs. 90 per liter petroleum tax and the introduction of a new carbon levy. He accused the government of manipulating budget figures, claiming that Rs. 1,450 billion was extracted from the public and moved into banks to artificially reduce the deficit—an act he labelled deceptive.
Reflecting on PTI’s economic record, he highlighted that 5.4 million jobs were created during the party’s first three years in power.
On foreign affairs, he warned that Pakistan exists in a volatile region and must remain vigilant against Indian hostility. He lauded the armed forces for their consistent and firm responses to provocations from across the border.
Umar also condemned Israel’s attack on Iran, stating that the prayers of the entire Muslim Ummah are with the Iranian people.
He concluded by urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to put personal interests aside and take concrete, inclusive steps to navigate the country out of its deepening political crisis.
