Islamabad: Awami National Party (ANP) President and Senator Aimal Wali Khan has strongly criticized the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), alleging that the party betrayed its allies during the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance and claiming that the current government is effectively “paralyzed.”

Speaking during a Senate session, Aimal Wali questioned both the government’s economic policies and its ability to independently formulate national decisions.

Criticism of the Federal Budget

During his speech, the ANP leader raised concerns about the recently presented federal budget, asking whether it had been prepared by Pakistan’s policymakers or by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He argued that even members of the ruling party may not have been fully aware of the budget details before its presentation.

“Even members of the Muslim League-N likely learned what was in the budget on the day it was presented,” he said.

Allegations of IMF Influence

Aimal Wali claimed that the budget had effectively been prepared under IMF conditions and that the government had little room to make independent changes.

According to him, the economic framework is heavily influenced by international financial commitments, limiting the government’s flexibility in policymaking.

He criticized what he described as a lack of autonomy in fiscal decision-making and questioned the extent of political ownership of economic policies.

Questions About Government Leadership

The ANP president also commented on the roles of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, saying he had never seen them as part of the traditional PML-N political structure.

His remarks appeared aimed at highlighting what he sees as a disconnect between the ruling party and some key figures involved in governance.

PDM Alliance Criticism

Referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the opposition alliance that brought together several political parties against the previous PTI government, Aimal Wali alleged that the PML-N had betrayed its allies.

He stated that ANP had been disappointed by the party’s conduct during the alliance period and accused it of undermining political partners.

“The Muslim League-N stabbed us in the back during the PDM,” he claimed.

“Not Nawaz Sharif’s Vision”

Aimal Wali further argued that current government policies do not reflect the political thinking or vision traditionally associated with former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

He suggested that the direction being taken by the government differs from the party’s historical narrative and ideological position.

Conclusion

Aimal Wali Khan’s Senate speech reflected growing political criticism of the government’s economic policies, its relationship with international financial institutions, and its handling of political alliances. His comments add to the broader debate surrounding the federal budget, governance, and the future direction of Pakistan’s political landscape.