PML-N finance czar assures not to shy away from 'painful reforms'

• PML-N issued 671 tickets out of 859 seats: Ishaq Dar.
• Confirms political agreements with IPP, PML-Q, JUI-F.
• “Pakistan has no choices other than structural reforms”.

As all major political parties are unveiling their plan of action after coming into power following the sought-after polls, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) central leader Ishaq Dar has assured that they would not shy away from enforcing “painful reforms” if his party holds the reins of the regime after the general elections.

The nation heads to polls on February 8 with the PML-N looking in good form despite its low-key electioneering as its supremo Nawaz Sharif is back and is set to contest the polls after clearing all legal hurdles.

Senator Dar, speaking to Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath” on Tuesday, expressed confidence over the PML-N’s expected victory with more than a two-thirds majority after the polls.

Responding to allegations levelled by some parties of sidelining opponents, he said: “It does not mean that we would not want other parties, seeking to rescue the country from the ongoing turmoil, to join forces with us.”

The PML-N is expected to get more seats than a simple majority in the National Assembly, the senior politician said while stressing that it is crucial for political stability.

The former ruling party has fielded 208 candidates for the 266 National Assembly's general seats up for grabs, Dar said, adding that overall for the five legislatures, the PML-N has issued 671 tickets out of the 859 seats.

But while the party has fielded its candidates across the country and left some out, the former finance czar said they had entered into agreements with the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl.

“Yes, with a simple majority, you have confidence that you won’t come under pressure [...] but we have only one motive: take Pakistan on the path towards economic stability as soon as possible,” Dar said, assuring his party is ready to forge alliances.

When questioned about its economic policy to end fiscal, sky-high inflation and Rs5,700 billion circular debt, the ex-finance minister elaborated that the PML-N would come up with a strong plan for making fast advancement to become the 20th global economy which was dropped to 47th number during the former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

He said in 2013, the Nawaz-led party had faced the same economic challenges when Pakistan was declared a “macro-economic unstable state”. He added that the magnitude has soared in 2024, however, the genre of the economic challenges stayed the same.

Dar said that PML-N had devised a comprehensive plan to put the economy back on track. Regarding tough decisions, he admitted that Pakistan has no choices other than adopting structural reforms.

He added after the ouster of the PTI-led government, the PML-N adopted effective but painful reforms after signing a stand-by agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and remained successful in bringing Pakistan out of default risk.

He also vowed that the PML-N would not compromise on economic stability or tolerate any delay in reforms after coming into power.