Political analysts praise IK’s efforts for inclusive govt in Afghanistan

Senior journalists and political analysts Saturday praised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s daring efforts for peace and inclusive government in Afghanistan.

During 24NewsHD programme – DNA –noted figures, Salim Bokhari, PJ Mir, Iftikhar Ahmed and Javed Iqbal, discussed several important issues including the Afghan situation, high inflation and tax reforms.

On the PML-N Workers Convention in Sialkot and criticism of Shahbaz Sharif on the government policies, the panel said inflation was the biggest failure of Imran Khan.

Saleem Bukhari said the PM was helpless as the finance minister enhanced prices of utility bills after ensuring not to impose any new tax on the masses in the budget address.

Iftikhar said the Imran government was not in the grip of the mafia but the bad governance so the majority of the people had become disappointed with it.

PJ Mir said despite the claims of winning next polls from the opposition, the government could do next elections for opposition difficult if it overcomes the economic problems and succeeded to give relief to the masses.

The government's ordinance on tax reforms was also discussed in the DNA and Saleem Bukhari said if legislation was to be made only through ordinances, then what was the purpose of Parliament?

PJ Mir said that there were many politicians in the parliament who did not want to pay taxes.

Iftikhar said that the business community did not want to come into the tax net. He said depriving a non-filer of the basic necessities of life was a violation of basic human rights.

Javed Iqbal said that the additional income tax was being imposed on electricity bills would make the lives of middle and lower-middle classes even worse.

On the Afghan issue, Saleem Bukhari said Imran on his Tajik visit had made it clear to the world that the Taliban need help and also hinted a role for the Tajik, Hazara and Uzbek communities in the Taliban government, which was welcome.

Iftikhar condemned the US confession of killing civilians in the Kabul drone strike.

Report: Nadeem Anjum