Sheikh Waqas Akram blames PM Shehbaz Sharif for economic collapse, rising poverty, joblessness, and damaging democracy in Pakistan.
Sheikh Waqas Blames Shehbaz for Economic Ruin:
Sheikh Waqas Akram, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has publicly accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of causing the nation to enter one of the greatest economic crises in its history in a passionate and emotional declaration. Sheikh Waqas claims that under Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the past three years have been characterized by widespread hardship, unemployment, inflation and poverty.
Additionally, he claimed that the Shehbaz-led government’s claims to revive the economy were deceptive and untrue. Let’s examine Sheikh Waqas’s remarks in more detail and the reasons this subject has attracted national attention.
Harsh Words of Sheikh Waqas:
Sheikh Waqas was unreserved in his critique. He called the three years of Shehbaz Sharif’s administration “one of the darkest periods in the country’s history” during his most recent press conference. He claims that the economy has been badly managed by the government, making life miserable for regular people.
Additionally, he asserted that the government’s insistence on “saving the economy from bankruptcy” is a “bundle of lies.” He claimed that at the February 8, 2024, general elections, the Pakistani people rejected this narrative.
Rising Poverty and Inflation:
The nation’s growing poverty rate was one of the main concerns Sheikh Waqas brought up. He claimed that millions of people have been forced into poverty under the current administration. People now find it difficult to pay for necessities due to rising costs for commonplace goods like bread, sugar, oil, and power.
He also emphasized how out of control inflation is. Even middle-class families are finding it difficult to keep up with their spending in many areas due to the skyrocketing cost of living.
Growing Unemployment:
Another major problem Sheikh Waqas pointed out was unemployment. He said that during Shehbaz Sharif’s rule, thousands of people have lost their jobs. Many factories and businesses have either closed or reduced staff due to poor economic conditions.
Graduates and skilled workers are unable to find proper jobs. The youth, who are the future of Pakistan, are feeling hopeless and ignored. According to Waqas, the government has no proper plan to solve this crisis.
Destruction of the National Economy:
Sheikh Waqas accused the government of destroying the national economy. He said that instead of creating jobs and boosting local industries, the government kept taking foreign loans, which increased the country’s debt.
He added that the government has failed to attract foreign investment or improve exports. As a result, the trade deficit has grown, and the value of the Pakistani rupee has fallen badly against the dollar. This has caused even more inflation and pressure on local businesses.
Attack on Democracy and Media Freedom:
Waqas did not just stop at the economy. He also blamed the Shehbaz-led government for damaging democracy and freedom in the country. He said that the ruling party has broken the law and the constitution just to stay in power.
He claimed that the media is no longer free to report the truth. Journalists are being silenced, and press freedom is under attack. According to him, the government wants to hide its failures by controlling what the public sees and hears.
26th Constitutional Amendment:
Sheikh Waqas also criticized the 26th Constitutional Amendment passed during this government’s rule. He said it has made the judiciary “blind, deaf, mute, and powerless.” In his view, the courts are no longer able to provide justice because they are being controlled by the government.
He argued that when the judiciary cannot function independently, democracy cannot survive. According to him, this amendment was passed only to cover the government’s illegal actions.
Voice of the People:
Waqas said that the people have clearly shown their opinion by voting against the government in the 2024 elections. He claimed that despite all the pressure and manipulation, the people rejected the narrative of Shehbaz Sharif’s economic success.
He stressed that the people are tired of false promises and poor governance. They want real solutions to their problems, not speeches and slogans.
PTI’s Call for Accountability:
PTI, led by leaders like Sheikh Waqas Akram, is now demanding accountability. They want a full investigation into how the country’s economy was handled during the last three years. They believe that those responsible for the current crisis should be held accountable. They also demand that the media should be allowed to work freely and that the judiciary should be restored to full independence.
Pakistan’s situation is still tense. Opposition parties are putting more pressure on the administration as the populace worries about their future. The criticism is getting stronger every day, even if the ruling party is still defending its record. The political and economic future of Pakistan will be greatly impacted by the upcoming months.
Conclusion:
The recent remarks made by Sheikh Waqas Akram have heightened worries about the current government’s performance. His remarks capture the frustration of many Pakistanis who are having financial difficulties.
It is impossible to overlook the grave criticism levelled at PM Shehbaz Sharif’s administration. Major challenges that require immediate action include pressure on the court, attacks on the media, a weakening economy, rising unemployment, and rising inflation.
Pakistan is experiencing hardship. What is done in the next several days will determine if the nation can recover from this disaster. Only when the government respects democracy, listens to the people, and prioritizes workable solutions over political disputes will there be genuine change.