ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday strongly rejected the federal government’s Economic Survey 2024-25, accusing the coalition regime of “mishandling the economy, pushing millions into poverty, and fabricating gross domestic product (GDP) figures.”
“At least 30 million people in Pakistan had slipped below the poverty line… these were the very people (incumbent rulers) brought to fix the economy, yet they extinguished household stoves instead,” said PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram while addressing a press conference here on Monday.
The criticism came soon after Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb unveiled the economic survey, revealing that country’s GDP grew by 2.7% with inflation clocking in at 4.6% in the outgoing fiscal year.
He noted that Pakistan’s economic recovery, which began after fiscal year 2023, gained momentum in FY 2024 and showed signs of consolidation in FY 2025, indicating a shift towards sustained stability and GDP growth.
The survey holds significance ahead of the annual federal budget — set to be tabled in the National Assembly tomorrow (Tuesday) — offering detailed insights into the country’s socio-economic performance in the outgoing fiscal year. It includes statistics related to GDP growth, tax revenue, the position of various industries, and other key fiscal and economic indicators.
Speaking to journalists later, PTI’s Akram said that the incumbent rulers used to look down on 6.5% growth achieved during the Imran Khan-led government, but the average growth in three years stood at just 1.5%.
“This so-called economic growth is just like Form-47 — fake and misleading,” he said while referring to the alleged rigging in February 8 General Elections.
Akram criticised the government’s economic claims, questioning the credibility of the reported numbers. “We cannot comprehend the kind of growth they are trying to show… the people have become economically orphaned under this government.”
Highlighting the agriculture sector’s performance, he said there had been a 13.5% decline in the sector. “These are anti-farmer policies, which amounts to enmity with the country itself.”
In a separate statement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Adviser Muzzammil Aslam said the government’s reported GDP growth of 2.7% for the current fiscal year was “a figure to be ashamed of”.
“They had set a target of 3.6%, and still fell short,” he said, adding that in 2022, the year PTI’s government ended, the GDP growth was 6.4%.
“The population is increasing at a rate of 2.5%, while average GDP growth over the past three years has stagnated at 1.5%,” he said.
Referring to declining consumer power, Aslam said: “For the first time this Eid, 30% of sacrificial animals sent to Karachi were returned unsold. They lied about reducing inflation. Due to heavy taxation, the public has lost its purchasing power.”
Aslam also said the agriculture sector, including wheat, sugarcane, rice, and maize, had seen widespread decline. “Even the federal government admits large-scale manufacturing has dropped by 1.5%, while core inflation remains at 11.6%.”
He further criticised the sharp increase in national debt. “When PTI left office, total debt stood at Rs43,500 billion. Under the PDM regime, it has now soared to Rs75,000 billion.”
