Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan is not a political prisoner but a criminal, making it clear that the government will not release him, Express News reported.

He made these remarks on the issue of gifts received by the former prime minister and accused Khan of selling them at a low price for personal gain. He also criticized the leadership of the PTI, accusing it of driving the country to the brink of economic collapse during its four years in power.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, he expressed concern over the ill effects of PTI’s governance, stating that the party’s actions had plunged the country into a severe economic crisis.

He stated, “The incompetence of the PTI leadership over the last four years has pushed the nation to the brink of disaster. Today, the PTI is engaged in acts that even the extremist elements like RAW never dared to do earlier.”

Iqbal further criticized the PTI for allegedly conspiring against the military and associating with foreign elements hostile to Pakistan, and accused the party of trying to tarnish Pakistan’s international standing, especially in the West.

In relation to the current economic situation, the Minister assured that the Federal Government is taking strong measures to stabilize the economy.

He pointed out that under the current government, Pakistan’s economic outlook has improved, with reports highlighting a 30% increase in remittances this year. “After our government took over, the global perception of Pakistan’s economy has changed for the better,” he said.

The minister also mentioned the launch of the federal government’s ‘Uraan’ programme, which he described as a key initiative to boost the country’s economic growth. Emphasizing that economic stability requires a peaceful environment, he stated that no investors would come to a country plagued by unrest and chaos on the streets.

Iqbal continued his criticism of the PTI, pointing out that the ruling party’s leadership had constantly tried to discredit Pakistan’s legal institutions, unlike the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), which had chosen to fight its legal battles within the country’s courts.

“We have never tried to tarnish our country’s image. It is PTI that has caused damage to Pakistan’s image,” he said.

The minister further alleged that the PTI leadership was misusing public funds and accused former Prime Minister Imran Khan of misappropriating approximately Rs 50 billion. into a friend’s account, calling it a clear case of corruption. “If this is not theft, what is?” he asked.

In conclusion, he reiterated that the federal government was focused on restoring the country’s economic health, improving infrastructure and maintaining law and order to attract investment and ensure the stability of Pakistan’s future.