Information minister claims bid to undermine GSP Plus status says government prevented default
Ataullah Tarar holds a press conference on Thursday 26 March 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 attempts to harm the country’s global standing and stability.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Tarar said that many people in Pakistan had sacrificed for the country, but claimed that 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 that?” he said.
“In this country, politicians have sacrificed beyond their means. There have been cries of ‘Pakistan Khappay’ to save the country,” he added. “No one wanted 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 that they chose other options instead.
“We asked the sons of the founder of PTI to come to Pakistan at NICOP, but they remained focused on other opportunities,” he said. “You made up stories that we wanted to arrest you, but we said we would welcome you.”
The minister also criticized PTI’s economic record and claimed that the party had pushed Pakistan close to default during its tenure.
“PTI had pushed Pakistan to the brink of default,” he said, adding that pleas or requests for a sovereign default were unacceptable.
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“If the nation defaults, yes, 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, workers, wage workers – everyone would suffer.”
He claimed that Pakistan avoided default under the current PML-N-led government and said the World Bank had praised the country’s economic model.
Tarar also criticized the PTI’s housing promises, saying the party had promised to build five million homes but instead “caused serious damage” to Pakistan during its four years in power.
Referring to trade issues, he alleged that the PTI was trying to undermine Pakistan’s EU GSP Plus trade status in 2024, calling it a deliberate effort to hurt exporters and destabilize the economy. He maintained that economic conditions had improved under the current government.
“Criticism is everyone’s right, but the country’s dignity should not be compromised,” Tarar said. “No political leader or party is bigger than Pakistan.”
The minister accused overseas activists and former PTI workers, including Arif Aajakia and Zulfi Bukhari, of participating in conspiracies that damaged Pakistan’s image abroad.
“Arif Aajakia is campaigning for India in Britain. 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 criticized the 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 that threaten Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He concluded by asserting Pakistan’s resilience despite political challenges.
“The more conspiracies they do 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 standing and claimed that Indian media seemed “alarmed” by Pakistan’s growing diplomatic profile.
