Shah Mahmood Qureshi Issues Major Statement from Kot Lakhpat Jail, Raises Alarm Over Economy and Agriculture
Rawalpindi / Lahore: Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi has described the country’s economic situation as “highly alarming” in a statement issued from Kot Lakhpat Jail.
According to details, Qureshi and other incarcerated PTI leaders, including Yasmin Rashid, released a joint message through their lawyer Rana Mudassar Umar from Kot Lakhpat Jail.
In their statement, the leaders highlighted that nearly 55% of Pakistan’s exports are linked to the textile sector, which is now facing a severe crisis due to an acute shortage of cotton. They noted that Pakistan once used to export cotton but is now struggling with declining production.
The PTI leaders claimed that Pakistan previously held a natural advantage in cotton production over neighboring countries, but output has dropped by nearly 50% over the past decade. They also questioned the performance of agricultural research institutions in addressing the crisis, adding that several textile mills are currently operating at only 50% capacity due to insufficient raw material.
They further stated that Pakistan, once considered a water-abundant country in the 1950s, is now facing severe water scarcity in 2026. The statement also alleged that India has “weaponized water” by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty.
The jailed leaders urged authorities to take urgent steps to address the agricultural and economic challenges facing the country, warning that continued neglect could deepen the ongoing crisis in the textile and farming sectors.
