Former finance minister Miftah Ismail has predicted a tough fight between the nominees of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the February 8 general elections.
Speaking to reporters at the Alhamra in Lahore on Sunday, Ismail predicted that voters would primarily rely on candidates Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan and predicted a tough election battle in the upcoming polls.
The disgruntled PML-N leader also commented on the Supreme Court’s verdict, calling it an “inappropriate decision” to strip the former ruling party of its iconic election symbol – the ‘bat’ – ahead of the general elections.
He added that regardless of the verdict of the apex court, the nation will still vote for those candidates who got the approval of the PTI founder and the approval of the PML-N supremo.
On the issue of the ongoing privatization of state entities, the economist strongly favored the immediate sale of loss-making government institutions to the private sector, which would be beneficial not only for economically and operationally paralyzed organizations, but also for the country.
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He claimed that ticket prices would come down if Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were privatized.
Later in December last year, Ismail dismissed media reports that he was joining the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
In June, the disgruntled politician announced that he was resigning as PML-N Sindh General Secretary and all other party posts.
Politico reported the decision after months of acrimony over his dismissal and subsequent appointment of Ishaq Dar as finance minister in September 2022.
He announced his resignation from the party office in a letter to PML-N General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal.
Since relinquishing the finance ministry portfolio, Ismail has been a constant critic of the current political system, much of it aimed at his successor for failing to lead the country out of economic crisis.
