Pakistan on the brink of economic collapse, says PML-Q
By IANSSaturday, January 22, 2011
ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) has said the country was “at the brink of economic collapse” and that a turnaround was not possible unless peace comes to Karachi.
PML-Q president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and general secretary Mushahid Hussain Sayed, addressing a press conference in Karachi Friday, said they had handed over to the government a five-point list of things to do.
The list was, however, “not a deadline”, they said. “We don’t believe in deadlines,” Shujaat Hussain was quoted as saying by the Geo News.
“The issue of target killings is a very serious one which must be dealt with properly,” he said.
More than 60 people have lost their lives to violence in the first fortnight of 2011.
Mushahid Hussain Sayed added that corruption and target killings could be the main factors responsible for the country’s economic collapse.
Shujaat Hussain said his party wanted the government to complete its five-year term and that the PML-Q does not want to derail the democratic system.
The two leaders also welcomed the tabling of the de-weaponisation bill in the National Assembly by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).
Last year, over 1,300 people died in various incidents of target killing in Karachi, while the toll since 1986 is reported to be in excess of 10,000.
