Information Minister Attaullah Tarar launched scathing allegations against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accusing them of plotting to undermine Pakistan’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status provided by the European Union (EU).
The GSP+ status, initiated in 2014 and extended until 2027, grants Pakistan advantageous trade terms, fostering economic growth through duty-free exports to the European market. Tarar asserted that PTI, from within jail, was orchestrating efforts to jeopardize this critical trade privilege, citing it as a deliberate ploy to damage Pakistan’s economic stability.
Tarar’s claims highlighted alleged manipulations by PTI, asserting that the party fabricated narratives concerning the treatment of its founder, Imran Khan, in prison. He contended that PTI’s purported grievances over Khan’s incarceration were mere pretexts to undermine Pakistan’s international standing, particularly its GSP+ status. According to Tarar, PTI’s actions, couched in false narratives, posed a severe threat to the nation’s economic prosperity, driven solely by political motivations.
PTI’s Denial and Counterclaims
In a swift rebuttal, a PTI spokesperson vehemently refuted Tarar’s accusations, dismissing them as baseless fabrications. The spokesperson emphasized that PTI harbored no intentions of challenging Pakistan’s GSP+ status and accused the ruling party of disseminating falsehoods for political gain.
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The spokesperson further asserted PTI’s commitment to national welfare, challenging Tarar’s narrative by highlighting the party’s contributions to economic policies, notably in facilitating the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program.
The spokesperson’s response portrayed PTI as a victim of political scapegoating, challenging the credibility of Tarar’s claims while portraying PTI as a beacon of national unity and progress. Additionally, the spokesperson aimed to dispel accusations of PTI’s alleged indifference to national interests, positioning the party as a stalwart defender of Pakistan’s economic well-being.