In an interview with CNN, former Pakistani PM Imran Khan rubbished claims that the country’s spiralling foreign reserve crisis was created by his government, arguing that all economic indicators were positive during his tenure, which ended abruptly last month.
Deflecting blame, Khan said that the Sharif government is run by a “bunch of criminals” who had been “plundering the country” for over thirty years in power. To this end, he said that his government had inherited a “bankrupt economy” with a heavy current account deficit and was then hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent record-high inflation.
Khan asserted that despite these challenges, Pakistan reported a 5.6% growth rate in his third year in office, and 6% in his fourth year. Keeping this in mind, Khan said that foreign reserves falling to $16 billion and the rupee’s value plummeting to an all-time low of 200 against the dollar is due to ‘regime change’ and a loss of confidence in the government.
He stressed, however, that the crisis did not take place “overnight” and rather was a product of decades of economic mismanagement, whereby more foreign reserves were spent than earned.
“We will not only run in the next election, but we will become the biggest party of Pakistan.”-@ImranKhanPTI #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/Nl6IVi9E8c
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 23, 2022
Pakistan’s current account deficit could hit $17.5 billion this year, or around 4.5% of the GDP. Furthermore, its trade deficit stands at $39.2 billion.
Against this backdrop, the government is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the next tranche of $1 billion in bailout funds and is also seeking aid from China and Saudi Arabia.
It has also instituted an import ban against a range of ‘luxury’ goods, including mobile phones, cars, fruit, shampoo, cornflakes, and chocolate. The State Bank of Pakistan has admitted that it only has enough funds to afford one and a half months of imports.
“Donald Lu should be sacked for bad manners and sheer arrogance. Imagine asking the Ambassador to get rid of the elected PM.”-@ImranKhanPTI #حقیقی_آزادی_مارچ pic.twitter.com/WLyz89nDVJ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 23, 2022
Much of Khan’s interview focused on his continued claims that United States (US) Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu was behind the conspiracy to oust him via a trust vote. Khan slammed the US official for his “arrogance” and “bad manners.”
The US State Department has previously rubbished Khan’s comments as a “conspiracy theory,” with spokesperson Ned Price saying last month that there is “no truth whatsoever” to the allegations and that the US never supports one political party over another.
Though Khan complained to the National Security Committee (NSC) of a “blatant intervention in the internal affairs of Pakistan,” the NSC determined that there was no “regime change conspiracy” afoot.
PPP, PMLN and JUI Marches against our govt were never stopped nor did we carry out any crackdown on their workers. This is the difference between democrats and kleptocrats.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2022
Khan, however, alleged in the CNN interview that by installing the “imported government” of Shehbaz Sharif, the US has fuelled “anti-Americanism” in the country, citing the examples of Iran and South American countries.
Keeping this in mind, he expressed confidence that his PTI party would emerge as the “single largest party” in the next elections because the people were “insulted” that “criminals have been imposed” upon Pakistan.
Peaceful protest is the right of all our citizens. The brutal crackdown on PTI ldrs & workers in Punjab & Islamabad has once again shown us what we are familiar with - the fascist nature of PMLN when in power. The present crackdown also raises serious questions abt the Handlers.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2022
Khan also addressed criticism of his decision to maintain close contact with Russia and even meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the same day that they invaded Ukraine, saying it was necessary to secure an agreement for a 30% discount on Russian oil. He underscored, however, that he remains opposed to military solutions to political issues.
In this regard, he asked why there has not been a similar condemnation of the US’ selective positions on the Kashmir and Palestine crises.
We are coming and we fight by announcing the war as we are not cowards, conspirators or traitors like imported govt tatoos , I will be coming with a flood of patriots via cpec motorway will enter from haqla interchange to Islamabad ROK SAKO TO ROK LO #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/e66OA8dqR8
— Ali Amin Khan Gandapur (@AliAminKhanPTI) May 23, 2022
The interview comes as Khan plans to lead his supporters in a giant march against the “imported government” tomorrow in Islamabad, wherein they will demand fresh elections and the dissolution of the parliament.
Incumbent PM Sharif, however, has accused Khan of attempting to start a civil war and sabotage bailout talks with the IMF. To this end, Sharif has warned Khan that he would “hold him by his collar” for the “sin.” Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, meanwhile, said that the next elections will be held after consulting the allies and said that Khan “cannot bully the government.”