Pakistan Has Highest Inflation, Poverty and Unemployment in Region, Says Miftah Ismail

KARACHI: Former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail has strongly criticised the economic policies of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, claiming that Pakistan has the highest levels of inflation, poverty and unemployment in the region.

In a post on social media platform X, Ismail questioned the government’s economic performance, arguing that despite an extended period in power, the country continued to face serious economic challenges.

According to the former finance minister, Pakistan has the region’s highest prices for gas, diesel and petrol. He also claimed that taxes and levies on petrol and diesel are higher in Pakistan than in other countries in the region.

Ismail further argued that flour prices in Pakistan are among the highest in the region and criticised the country’s reliance on imported wheat, saying that Pakistan now has to import a commodity it has traditionally produced domestically.

He also expressed concern over the country’s declining investment rate, claiming that investment had fallen to its lowest level in 60 years. He said the high tax burden, particularly on salaried individuals, was adding to the financial difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.

The former finance minister warned that poverty and unemployment were contributing to worsening living conditions, while hunger and economic hardship were becoming increasingly serious concerns. He also claimed that theft, crime and drug abuse were on the rise.

شہباز شریف کی حکومت کو ساڑھے چار سال ہو گئے ہیں-اس طویل عرصے کے بعد خطے میں سب سے مہنگی گیس، ڈیزل اور پٹرول پاکستان میں ہے- پیٹرول اور ڈیزل پہ ٹیکس اور لیوی بھی سب سے زیادہ پاکستان میں ہے –

پورے خطے میں سب سے زیادہ مہنگائی پاکستان میں ہے، اور اٹے کی قیمتیں سب سے زیادہ پاکستان میں ہیں-اور حکومت کی پالیسیوں کی وجہ سے اج ہمیں گندم درامد کرنی پڑ رہی ہے-

غربت کی شرح بھی خطے میں سب سے زیادہ پاکستان میں ہے، بے روزگاری کی شرح بھی خطے میں سب سے زیادہ پاکستان میں ہے-اور پاکستان میں سرمایہ کاری کی شرح 60 سالوں میں سب سے کم رہی ہے-سب سے زیادہ ٹیکس ریٹس بالخصوص نوکری پیشہ لوگوں پہ بھی پاکستان میں ہی ہیں-

اج پاکستان میں بھوک پھیل رہی ہے-مفلسی بڑھ رہی ہے-چوری چکاری اور جرم بڑھ رہے ہیں اور منشیات پھیل رہے ہیں-

وفاق اور صوبوں میں کرپشن عروج پہ ہے-

کیا یہ ایمانداری سے کہا جا سکتا ہے کہ شہباز شریف صاحب کے دور حکومت نے پاکستان کو اچھی حکمرانی دی؟ یہ ہم یہ کہنے پہ مجبور ہیں کہ شہباز شریف کے دور حکومت میں نہ کوئی حکمت عملی نظر ائی نہ کوئی ویژن نظر ایا جس سے پاکستان کے حالات بہتر ہو سکیں-

— Miftah Ismail (@MiftahIsmail) October 16, 2026

Ismail criticised alleged corruption in both federal and provincial governments, arguing that widespread economic difficulties were placing an increasing burden on the public.

Questioning the government’s record, he asked whether its performance could reasonably be described as good governance in light of the challenges facing the country.

He also argued that the government had failed to present a clear economic vision or an effective strategy capable of delivering sustained improvements in living standards and economic stability.

The former finance minister’s remarks have renewed debate over the government’s economic policies, including energy prices, taxation, investment, employment and the rising cost of living.

However, the economic comparisons and performance figures cited by Ismail in his social media post were not independently verified in the statement. His comments represent his assessment of the government’s performance.