Karachi, General Secretary of the Pasban Democratic Party, Iqbal Hashmi, has called on the government to reconsider its economic strategies in response to increasing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and widespread dissatisfaction with inflation and taxation throughout the country.

According to Pasban Democratic Party, Hashmi criticized the government’s adherence to fiscal policies influenced by the International Monetary Fund, which have led to higher energy rates, food inflation, and taxation. He warned that the discontent, which is already manifesting as protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, could spread nationwide if the government fails to alter its approach. He highlighted that foreign debt has not resolved but rather exacerbated the nation’s economic issues, describing the situation as a “debt trap.”

Hashmi detailed that the high cost of living, combined with increasing prices for essentials like wheat flour, is fueling poverty and hunger across the country. He proposed that the government focus not only on curbing price hikes but also on increasing production and creating employment opportunities to genuinely address the root causes of economic discontent.

Further, Hashmi emphasized the potential of agricultural development through the construction of new dams, reservoirs, and canals, which could transform barren lands into fertile fields. He argued that with appropriate government action, including improvements in education and technical training, Pakistan could develop a skilled workforce capable of earning foreign exchange abroad.

He also pointed out the specific needs of Karachi, suggesting that with necessary infrastructure improvements, the revenue from the city could be significantly increased. Despite being a large city, Karachi lacks facilities like underground railways, which are common in smaller cities globally. Hashmi called for the establishment of new technical universities and colleges to train local manpower adequately.