‘This isn’t my govt’: Maryam distances herself from Shehbaz regime

ISLAMABAD: PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam
Nawaz has apparently distanced herself from the
coalition government led by his uncle Prime Minister
Shehbaz Sharif, saying that her party is not responsible
for its performance.
The ruling party leader reportedly made these remarks in
a recent meeting with the representatives of PML-N’s
youth wing.
“This is not my government. Our government will be
when Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan,” media reports
said quoting the party sources as she having said during
the meeting.
The coalition partners are playing blame game over the
poor performance of the federal government.
During the huddle, the PML-N chief organiser tried to
absolve her party of current economic and other crises,
stating that she is not part of the coalition government.
According to party insiders, Maryam said that the PML-N
cannot be blamed for the performance of the coalition
government led by PM Shehbaz.

“Our government will be formed when Nawaz Sharif is in
Pakistan. Only Nawaz Sharif can take Pakistan forward,”
she was quoted as saying.

Her statement comes as the PML-N-led government is
under immense pressure over skyrocketing inflation and
soaring food prices ahead of the general elections
scheduled to take place later this year.
Amid spiralling inflation, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on
Wednesday formally unveiled a Rs170 billion mini-budget
that carried some highly inflationary measures but
spared the commercial banks and traders of any new
taxation, weakening the coalition government’s case of
putting burden on the sectors which could bear it the
most.
The Finance (Supplementary) Bill 2023 also contained
some measures, which have failed to yield any significant
revenues in the past such as the imposition of 10%
advance income tax on public-private gatherings and
functions.
“Pakistan has reached an understanding with the IMF
[International Monetary Fund] during January 31-
February 9th staff-level visit and the most important
element of it was to introduce Rs170 billion worth
additional taxes,” Dar said while introducing the finance
bill in the National Assembly.

Moreover, the federal government on Wednesday
dropped another oil bomb by increasing the price of
petrol by Rs22.20 per litre effective February 16
(Thursday). The price of high speed diesel (HSD) was also
raised by Rs17.20 per litre.