This Regime Has Slaughtered the Middle Class: Asad Umar’s Sharp Criticism

Islamabad (Qudrat Daily): Former Secretary General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and former Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar has sharply criticised the country’s economic situation and tax policies, lashing out at the current government.

According to details, in a statement on the social media website X, Asad Umar shared figures showing that during the first quarter of the current fiscal year, income tax paid by the salaried class has increased by a further 10 percent, while overall, since Shehbaz Sharif became Prime Minister, the tax burden on this class has more than tripled.

In contrast, referring to the real estate sector, he said that tax collection from the already low-tax-paying real estate sector decreased by 38 percent in the first quarter. Commenting in strong words, Asad Umar said that with this cruel system and these policies, the current regime has slaughtered the middle class.

First quarter of this fiscal year income tax paid by salaried class went up 10% after more than tripling since shehbaz became PM. Tax collection in first quarter from the already under taxed real estate sector REDUCED 38%. This regime has slaughtered the middle class

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 7, 2026

Additionally, former minister Asad Umar said that every problem is not a nail and every problem’s solution is not a hammer. The blood of many innocent Pashtuns has been spilled and many soldiers have sacrificed their lives. Instead of the Interior Minister’s 72-hour threat, he should sit with the elders. For God’s sake, do not play politics with the lives of the people of this country. Compromise on terrorism is not possible under any circumstances; for this, a jirga of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s elders was held in November 2025 and a declaration was issued with complete consensus.

He recalled that in this jirga, besides the provincial government, the Muslim League, the People’s Party, JUI, Jamaat-e-Islami, Awami National Party, and all parties of the province were present, and their representatives signed the declaration. This declaration should be the basis for efforts to end terrorism. Instead of the Interior Minister’s 72-hour threat, he should sit with all these elders. First of all, it should be reviewed whether the federal and provincial governments fulfilled their responsibilities in accordance with the declaration. Whoever has been negligent should be reprimanded.