Information minister alleges bid to undermine GSP Plus status, says govt prevented default
Ataullah Tarar gives a news conference on Thursday, March 26, 2026. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB
Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar on Thursday accused the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the sons of former prime minister Imran Khan of acting against Pakistan’s national and economic interests, alleging efforts to damage the country’s global standing and stability.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said many people in Pakistan had made sacrifices for the country, but claimed the PTI had failed to do so.
“What kind of sacrifice is stealing a watch? Taking foreign funding? Corruption of £190 million? What kind of sacrifice is this?” he said.
“In this country, politicians have given sacrifices beyond their means. There have been chants of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ to save the country,” he added. “Nobody wished for ruin to reach Pakistan because they themselves were ruined… shame on you.”
Tarar said the government had invited Imran Khan’s sons to return to Pakistan using the National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP), but alleged they chose other options instead.
“We asked the sons of the founder of PTI to come to Pakistan on NICOP, but they remained focused on other options,” he said. “You made up stories saying we would arrest you, but we said we would welcome you.”
The minister also criticised PTI’s economic record, alleging the party had pushed Pakistan close to default during its tenure.
“The PTI had pushed Pakistan to the brink of default,” he said, adding that prayers or wishes for a sovereign default were unacceptable.
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“If the nation defaults, yes, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz will suffer, but more than that, it will be the common man who suffers,” Tarar said. “The country’s white-collar workers, blue-collar workers, wageworkers – everyone would suffer.”
He claimed Pakistan avoided default under the current PML-N-led government and said the World Bank had praised the country’s economic model.
Tarar also criticised PTI’s housing promises, saying the party had pledged to build five million homes but instead “caused severe harm to Pakistan” during its four years in power.
Referring to trade matters, he alleged PTI attempted to undermine Pakistan’s European Union GSP Plus trade status in 2024, calling it a deliberate effort to harm exporters and destabilise the economy. He maintained that economic conditions had improved under the present government.
“Criticism is everyone’s right, but the dignity of the country should not be compromised,” Tarar said. “No political leader or party is bigger than Pakistan.”
The minister accused overseas activists and former PTI associates, including Arif Aajakia and Zulfi Bukhari, of engaging in conspiracies that damaged Pakistan’s image abroad.
“Arif Aajakia runs campaigns for India in the UK. Aajakia has always been seen spreading propaganda against Pakistan,” he said, adding that Zulfi Bukhari and associates were involved in “conspiracies against Pakistan.”
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Tarar also criticised PTI’s stance on international issues, saying, “In PTI’s accounts, we have never seen condemnation of Israel,” and accused the party of failing to oppose developments threatening Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He concluded by asserting Pakistan’s resilience despite political challenges.
“The more conspiracies they hatch against Pakistan, the higher Pakistan will rise,” Tarar said, adding that Pakistan’s diplomatic role in the Middle East was gaining global recognition.
He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for strengthening Pakistan’s international position, and claimed Indian media appeared “troubled” by Pakistan’s growing diplomatic profile.
