Dr Murtaza Mughal, President of Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW), welcomed the much-needed flexibility in the stance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leadership on Friday. He said that the PTI leadership’s position is becoming softer, which will reduce political tensions and improve the economic situation. Dr. Murtaza Mughal said in a statement issued here today that the IMF and many international organisations appear to be complacent due to the steps taken over the last few months.

He said that the tone of the central leadership of PTI has changed, which should be answered positively to accelerate the speed of reduction in political tension. The government can work for economic improvement. With improvements in the economic situation, it will be possible for the government to provide meaningful relief to the people, he added.

Dr. Mughal said that Pakistan’s credit rating has been improved by Moody’s. At the same time, the IMF has also expressed its willingness to send a new mission to Pakistan after the formation of the cabinet. The IMF’s attitude should be that it has no complaints and wants to work with Pakistan. He said that forming the new cabinet would be a test for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. In this regard, he should ensure merit and not consider any pressure. 

The failed economic experts should not be re-tried, and those elements should not be entertained in any way whose actions have aggravated the economic crisis in the country instead of reducing it. 

He said that many arrested leaders and activists of the PTI got bail, after which Imran Khan demanded to bring the perpetrators of the May 9 tragedy to justice, which shows that there is a softening of stance on both sides. 

Imran Khan has also said that neither he nor anyone from his party is against the army and the establishment. On the other hand, the PTI leadership has also announced the dissociation of two vloggers based in Western countries. 

The situation shows that the PTI has made little progress at the highest level, but the ice is melting, and things are improving. 

The tone of the opposition will benefit the government and contribute positively to the overall situation, he observed. 

He said that reduced political temperatures would help the government deliver and quell rumours, which would be good for the country’s future. 

Meanwhile, the PM has directed the formation of a review committee on the proposal of handing over the power companies to the provinces with directions to submit recommendations to him. 

While presiding over a meeting on privatisation, he directed that transparency in the privatisation process should be ensured at the institutional level and that effective and tried-and-tested methods of international monitoring standards should be adopted.