Country on Verge of Economic Collapse, Kayani Warns Zardari
The country’s economic situation has reached a critical point, with then Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani warning former President Asif Ali Zardari that Pakistan was on the verge of an economic collapse. According to insider sources, the warning came during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, where Kayani expressed serious concerns over the deteriorating economic indicators and rising debt levels.
The discussion reportedly took place behind closed doors and was described as tense, with Kayani outlining the potential risks of inaction. He emphasized the need for urgent reforms to stabilize the economy, cautioning that failure to do so could have devastating consequences for the country’s financial and political stability.
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Economic experts had been sounding alarms for months about Pakistan’s growing fiscal deficit, dwindling foreign reserves, and a ballooning debt crisis. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had already flagged concerns over Pakistan’s repayment capacity, while inflation was soaring, pushing more people below the poverty line.
Kayani, known for his pragmatic approach, reportedly told Zardari that the country’s economic woes could no longer be ignored and that immediate steps were required to prevent further decline. He stressed the importance of political stability and good governance in addressing the crisis, suggesting that poor management of resources and lack of fiscal discipline had exacerbated the situation.
Sources indicate that Zardari acknowledged the severity of the economic challenges but assured Kayani that the government was taking measures to address the crisis. However, critics argue that the ruling administration at the time was struggling to implement meaningful reforms, with political infighting and corruption allegations hindering progress.
The warning from General Kayani is seen as a rare instance of the military publicly expressing concerns over the country’s economic trajectory. Traditionally, the military has been viewed as focusing on national security matters, but this intervention highlighted the growing overlap between economic and security issues.
Political analysts believe that Kayani’s warning was not just a message to Zardari but also a signal to the broader political leadership to take the economic crisis seriously. The military’s involvement in economic discussions underscored the urgency of the situation and the potential risks if the crisis spiraled out of control.
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