Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) senior vice-president Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Thursday reacted strongly to Sulaiman Shehbaz’s tweet in which he called the three former finance ministers ‘jokers’.
The senior PML-N leader said that I am not sure whether Sulaiman said this or not but such remarks are highly condemnable.
On Twitter, Sulaiman called the country’s last three finance ministers, including its last PML-N finance minister Miftah Ismail, “clowns”.
He chose to publicly mock Miftah (without naming him), who was the first finance minister in his father’s cabinet and was praised by PM Shehbaz for reviving the IMF program last year. .
The last 3 finance ministers were jokers. They ran a clown show!
— Suleman Sharif (@SulemanSharif82) January 16, 2023
Dar sb averted a default after atomic detonations in 1998
The challenges are humongous, he is giving his best shot no match for his commitment and hardwork
The 3 jokers have laid minefields!
In a tweet, Sulaiman said: “The last 3 finance ministers were clowns. They ran a clown show! Dar SB avoided default after nuclear blasts in 1998. 3 clowns have laid landmines!”
Abbasi said it was inappropriate to call former finance ministers clowns, irrespective of their party affiliation.
“Suleiman should explain what the tweet means,” he added.
In response to a question, the former prime minister said that there is no truth in the news that he is separating from the PML-N.
In response to another question related to the economy, he said that by staying in the IMF program, we have to prove that we are a responsible country.
Emphasizing the need for economic reforms, Abbasi said that the government should restore the rupee to its original value. “The prices of gas, electricity and oil cannot be kept lower than the purchase price. The government has to take an urgent decision to bring stability to the crisis-ridden country.”
Criticizing the former PTI-led government, Abbasi said Khan brought the country to the brink of default. We are trying to correct the mistakes of the previous government.
