New economic team to pull country out of crisis: Jahangir Tareen

PTI Leader Jhangir Tareen said the new economic team of government would pull the country out of crises. He said due to uncertainty much of government's good work was not seen. "This [economic situation] is not [where we wanted to be]," Tareen said. "We are surrounded by challenges today. The confusion has hurt us, but the promising thing is that a new finance team is here. Khan has brought excellent people at key posts. This is the face of ' tabdeeli'."

"Abdul Hafeez Sheikh [the new finance adviser] is an experienced man. We needed someone experienced. [State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor] [Reza Baqir] is also experienced, but he is an out-of-the-box solution. The SBP has never before brought an experienced person who knows the outside world and is an expert. "Similarly, [Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman] Shabbir Zaidi is also an out-of-the-box solution. All of Pakistan knows that what Zaidi knows about tax, no one else knows. He has a grip on internal issues and understands why people don't pay tax in Pakistan."

"This is a team that will together [deliver] - with Imran Khan and me as well, in my personal capacity. I am standing with Khan whenever is needed. This new team will bring us out of the confusion." When asked by the journalist why the party was unprepared for steering the economy, Tareen said: "You are exaggerating a little. The economic challenges and confusion in the last 10 months have overshadowed the positive changes we have made."

He added that steps have been taken to improve the energy sector, including a drive against theft and non-payment. "From October till today, we have collected Rs80 billion which we soon hope to take to Rs90bn. Our long-term goal is to recover Rs200bn in the energy sector to fix the issue of circular debt."

Tareen also claimed that his party has brought circular debt down from Rs38bn to Rs26 million.

He added that positive steps have been taken for the sugarcane and wheat industry and that the long-term plan includes boosting IT infrastructure and garment export.

On the subject of the resignation of Haroon Sharif, chairman of the Board of Investment, Tareen said: "The truth is, the expectations Razzaq Dawood and Khan had from the BoI were not being met.

"People who don't perform can't bring that change. We have limited time, we can't afford for this not to happen. I am a frank person, this is the reality. Umar Ayub, Murad Saeed, Nadeem Babar and lots of others - these people will go ahead."