Jhagra tells Miftah, Provincial budget surplus next to impossible after floods

Floods take ‘precedence over all else’

Finance Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra on Saturday said the province has a flood situation on hand which “takes precedence over all else” after Finance Minister Miftah Ismail accused the provincial government of conspiring to “derail the IMF program” in a late-night press conference.

Please note that in these conditions [floods], and without the resolution of the issues highlighted previously, for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to actually leave a surplus will be next to impossible,” Jhagra wrote in the communiqué sent to Miftah on Friday.

Jhagra said it was “interesting” that Miftah Ismail called and the two will now meet on Monday “to resolve our issues”. The provincial finance minister, however, said it was “sad” that in “their Pakistan”, one had to “shout to be heard”.

We have a flood situation on hand, which must take precedence over all else.
But interesting that Miftah Ismail called, and we finally have time on Monday to resolve our issues, as he said in his late night presser. Sad that in their Pakistan, you have to shout to be heard. https://t.co/It7cIVaHVF

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022

In a series of tweets, Jhagra clarified that he had not written a letter to the IMF, but to the federal finance minister. The provincial minister also added pictures of the letter he sent.

1. This imported govt doesn’t need enemies. Their own party hierarchy & their chamchas in the press are enough to sabotage their own…
Why would the KP govt or I write to the IMF? Please read the letter I wrote to the Federal Finance Minister for yourself. pic.twitter.com/NTaPGoniym

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022

Jhagra further highlighted that he had raised “the same concerns” in his meeting with Miftah on July 5, “but because it was in the national interest, returned the IMF MoU to Islamabad within 24 hours”, with the approval of the K-P chief minister.

2. Note that when I last got time from the fed finance minister on July 5, I raised the same concerns; on the FATA budget; on NHP; but because it was in the national interest, returned the IMF MoU to Islamabad within 24 hours. Personally ensured that with the approval of the CM.

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022

He also attached the original letter from July 5 “accompanying the signing of the IMF MoU”. “The follow-up letter that I sent today was simply in continuation, after about 50 days of repeated attempts to resolve our financial issues fairly and obtain a meeting quickly,” the provincial minister said.

3. Here is my original letter on July 5 accompanying the signing of the IMF MOU.
The follow up letter that I sent today was simply in continuation, after about 50 days of repeated attempts to resolve our financial issues fairly and obtain a meeting quickly. pic.twitter.com/3DoOMNGoVR

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022

Jhagra further stated that the K-P government would “never back down from raising its issues at the center or from working for a strong federation”.

4. The KP govt will never back down from raising its issues at the centre, or from working for a strong federation.
But here are a few chamchas who must have caused alarm at the IMF. I wonder if PEMRA will be in action now? pic.twitter.com/D4igUR5wkU

— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) August 26, 2022

Government criticize PTI

In a late-night press conference, Miftah had termed the letter “deplorable.” He termed the letter a “conspiracy to derail the IMF program and sink the rupee”. He questioned whether there was any redline for PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He said Imran khan was out to destroy Pakistan and its economy for his power lust.