Pakistan opposition slams ‘hybrid regime’ over record debt, poverty

Pakistan’s opposition alliance, Tehreek-e-Tahaffuz-e-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP), on Sunday accused the government of running an “illegal hybrid regime” and pushing the country into economic and constitutional crises.

At a news conference in Islamabad, former Sindh governor Muhammad Zubair Umar claimed the government had added PKR 38 trillion in debt over three and a half years. He said this was double the amount incurred during the tenure of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“In just three and half years, the current government has added PKR 38 trillion in debt,” the disgruntled leader of ruling PML-N party said. “Forty-five percent of Pakistan’s population now lives below the poverty line, while youth unemployment has soared to 30%.”

He said inflation had surged to 38% and many people had been forced to sell their properties to survive. He criticized the government’s inability to attract foreign investment despite frequent trips abroad by the prime minister.

“Pakistan's investment level is now at a 50-year low,” Zubair said. “Under SIFC, the government announced $100 billion in investment – but where is that investment?”

He said GDP growth had averaged only 0.6% in the same period, while purchasing power had fallen sharply. He cited worsening human development indicators, with 27 million children out of school. “No official is talking about the human development index,” he said.

Zubair alleged that those close to the ruling elite had benefited from sugar and wheat scams worth PKR 300 billion each. “Even the prime minister’s son is allegedly linked to the sugar mafia,” he said.

He also rejected the government’s claim that it had averted default in 2022, noting that Pakistan had $17 billion in foreign exchange reserves in January that year. “How can someone say Pakistan was going to default with $17 billion in reserves?” he asked.

“If the economy is truly stable, then why are people’s conditions not improving?” Zubair said. “You cannot fix the economy while the political system remains broken and illegitimate.”

Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser of PTI said TTAP would hold public events, meet ambassadors, and engage lawyers to challenge the government. He voiced concerns over 27 proposed constitutional amendments, calling the system “nothing less than martial law.”

“We want the courts to hear Imran Khan’s cases on merit,” Qaiser said. “The country is heading toward anarchy. The only way forward is national dialogue.” He also apologized for supporting the extension of former army chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa. “We will never be part of such a decision again,” he said.

MNA Mehmood Khan Achakzai accused the government of violating the Constitution and weakening democratic institutions. He criticized the National Assembly speaker for announcing the disqualification of members, saying the same official had once visited Nawaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz in jail.

Achakzai urged nationwide mobilization to end what he called unconstitutional rule. “We must organize the people of Pakistan to defend the Constitution and democracy,” he said.

TTAP leaders said they would engage civil society, the legal community, and foreign diplomats in the coming weeks. They also called for judicial independence and for Imran Khan’s cases to be heard on merit.

Government response

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed the opposition’s criticism as “misleading” and “contrary to facts.”

“Misleading statements about the economy are not in the public interest,” Tarar said in a statement. He pointed to a rise in remittances to $38 billion and a current account surplus of $2.1 billion.

He said inflation was declining, exports were increasing, and the stock market was on an upward trend. “The economy is improving – do you not accept this?” he asked.

Tarar said global rating agencies had upgraded Pakistan’s economic outlook. “Is this fact also unacceptable to you?” he said.

Referring to the May 9 riots, he said a conspiracy had been carried out that day, with attacks on state institutions. “Those guilty of this serious crime have been punished under the law,” he said, adding that all sentences followed transparent and fair trials.

He accused the opposition of being upset that “those involved in the conspiracy are being brought to justice and punished for their crimes.”