Shahid Khaqan Abbasi criticizes government over economic crisis and calls for structural reforms

The head of the Awam Pakistan Party, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has criticized the government over the country’s worsening economic and political situation, saying that even government representatives have now started raising concerns about the state of affairs in Pakistan.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Abbasi said that the interior minister had realized after four to five years that the country was facing serious governance challenges, while ordinary Pakistanis had been expressing similar concerns for years.

“The people of Pakistan have been saying the same thing for the past four to five years,” Abbasi stated, adding that government ministers should raise such issues directly during cabinet meetings instead of discussing them publicly.

The former prime minister stressed that Pakistan urgently requires meaningful reforms and warned that temporary or superficial measures would not solve the country’s deep-rooted problems. He argued that the country has repeatedly experimented with short-term solutions every year, but what is needed is a fundamental change in the system.

“We need to change the system and establish the rule of law,” Abbasi said, emphasizing that strong institutions and equal application of laws are necessary for long-term stability.

Abbasi also criticized political divisions and the practice of using accountability cases against opponents. He called for an end to the cycle of imprisoning political rivals, questioning how the country could progress if every politician was accused of corruption.

“If all politicians are corrupt, then who will run the country?” he asked.

The Awam Pakistan Party leader claimed that two major stakeholders currently play a dominant role in running the country, but instead of working together, both sides continue to blame each other for national problems.

Discussing the economic situation, Abbasi said that the income of Pakistani citizens has declined significantly over the past six years. He claimed that household purchasing power has fallen by approximately 14 percent, leaving many families struggling financially.

“Every household in Pakistan has become poorer,” he said, adding that unemployment has reached its highest level in 21 years.

Abbasi also highlighted the increasing tax burden on citizens, stating that the average Pakistani now pays around Rs60,000 in taxes annually. He said that taxes that were previously around Rs30,000 have doubled in recent years, while poverty continues to rise across the country.

The former prime minister argued that Pakistan is struggling to attract investment because of inconsistent policies and uncertainty. He accused the government of relying heavily on taxation rather than creating conditions that encourage economic growth.

“There is no certainty about when new taxes will be imposed,” Abbasi said, claiming that unpredictable policies discourage businesses and investors from operating in Pakistan.

He also raised concerns about public health and food security, stating that thousands of children in Pakistan are affected by HIV and that the government has started importing wheat despite the country being an agricultural economy.

“A country known for agriculture is now purchasing wheat from abroad,” he remarked.

Abbasi further criticized rising costs of essential services, including electricity, gas, petrol, and diesel. He said that ordinary citizens are facing increasing financial pressure because of continuous price increases.

According to Abbasi, Pakistan’s current situation reflects a broader governance failure, and without major reforms, improvements in economic conditions will remain difficult. He called for political cooperation, institutional reform, and policies focused on economic stability rather than short-term measures.