Pakistan leader says, ‘India dreaming of becoming superpower, while we are begging’: WATCH

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is Pakistan's leading right-wing Islamic leader, made a comparisonbetween New Delhi and Islamabad, in a way, thrashing his nation for "begging to avoid bankruptcy".

While addressing a session of the National Assembly on Monday (Apr 29), Maulana Fazlur Rehman , the chief of his faction, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), asked fellow lawmakers: "In August 1947, India and Pakistan got Independence together. Today, India is dreaming of becoming a global superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?"

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Cash-strapped Pakistan has been reeling under a severe economic crisis for more than two years, with last year marred with political instability. At one point, inflation in the country was nearly 38 per cent. In February 2023, its foreign currency reserves depleted to $3 billion.

On the other side, as highlighted by Rehman, India has been forging ahead with strong economic growth and is aiming to become world's third largest economy in the coming years, with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) on Monday highlighting that the Indian economy is expected to achieve "higher" than 7 per cent growth in 2024-25.

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Rehman's remarks came as Pakistan narrowly escaped bankruptcy thanks to a $1.1 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistan's Ministry of Finance and the IMF late on Monday night confirmed that the lender had approved the disbursement of a $1.1 billion tranche that completes a total loan of $3 billion, which was agreed to under a deal last year.

IMF has approved the disbursement but with a warning. It said in a statement, "To move Pakistan from stabilisation to a strong and sustainable recovery the authorities need to continue their policy and reform efforts, including strict adherence to fiscal targets while protecting the vulnerable; a market-determined exchange rate to absorb external shocks; and broadening of structural reforms to support stronger and more inclusive growth."

Rehman also supported his erstwhile rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying the opposition party has the right to hold rallies and even form a government.

During his speech in the National Assembly on Monday, Rehman slammed the powerful establishment for allegedly rigging the political system.

He asked, "It is the right of the PTI to hold a rally. We also objected to the 2018 election and we object to this (February 8 polls) one too. If the 2018 poll was rigged, why is the current one not rigged?"

(With inputs from agencies)