Shahid Khaqan Abbasi: Imran’s Gasoline subsidy costs Pakistan Rs200 billion a month

PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday reaffirmed calls for the abolition of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) while adding that the country cannot advance with the national-graft buster operational.

“Now, the government has to decide whether it wants to disband the NAB or keep it functional… whether to run the government or NAB. We must take that decision,” he told reporters outside the accountability court in Karachi.

He asserted that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will be the largest benefactor of such a move.

The PML-N leader maintained that the existing administration has accused no one but just placed facts before the nation. “Whoever robbed the country should be held accountable.”

Government ministers believe they cannot operate in the presence of NAB, Abbasi added.

Fuel subsidy

Abbasi, the former PM, underlined the need to adopt “difficult decisions” in order to build the economy when speaking about the previous government measures relating to oil relief.

“No country in the world can offer set fuel at a cost that is lower than the buying price. This is costing Pakistan Rs200 billion a month.”

Former premier Imran Khan had promised a Rs10 cut in the prices of petrol and diesel at the end of February, barely days before the tabling of the no-confidence motion against him that ended in his departure.

‘Foreign conspiracy’

Moreover, the PML-N leader noted that many members of the educated elite of the nation believed in former prime minister Imran Khan’s foreign plot accusations.

Regarding the National Security Committee meeting on the reported threat letter, he said it will soon be convened since the cabinet has been created.

Abbasi noted that the Election Commission has demanded seven months to hold the general elections and the country cannot afford an interim set-up for such a lengthy period under the present economic circumstances.