With gag order on media in place, Imran Khan is doing everything to distract the Pakistani public from severe internal problems the country is facing and the situation in Kashmir is a god-sent opportunity. With Kashmir on edge, Pakistan has found a suitable diversion to distract the public from multitudes of problems plaguing the country. Facing huge debts and liabilities, Pakistan has initiated a massive austerity drive. The IMF approved a three-year USD 6 billion bailout program for Pakistan which is its 13th loan in a short span of 30 years

Islamabad: In September 2018, the cash-strapped government of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran auctioned eight buffaloes belonging to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which fetched Rs 23 lakh. Facing huge debts and liabilities, Pakistan has initiated a massive austerity drive.

The economic condition in the neighbouring country is such that PM Khan had to chair a federal Cabinet meeting recently in which it was decided to roll back the prices of naan and roti across the country.

During his maiden visit to the United States, Khan had a meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after which the Board approved a three-year USD 6 billion bailout programme for Pakistan. This was Islamabad’s 13th loan in 30 years.

In March, China pumped-in USD 2.2 billion to cash-strapped Pakistan which helped to shore up its dwindling foreign currency reserves thereby averting a possible default on external debt payments. Apart from China, Pakistan also received USD 3 billion from Saudi Arabia and USD 2 billion from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, with the situation in Kashmir on edge keeping the rumour mills churning, Pakistan has found a suitable diversion in Kashmir to distract the public from multitudes of problems plaguing the country.

Today, Imran Khan in a series of tweets “condemned” India’s action across the LoC accusing New Delhi of using cluster bombs on civilians, a claim which has categorically been rejected by the Army.

He further tried to bring the world’s attention back on Kashmir calling for the settlement of the dispute as per the UNSC resolutions.

Imran’s third tweet in the thread mentioned US President Donald Trump and his offer to mediate in Kashmir dispute. Saying that this was perhaps the right time to do so, Khan tried to bring a third party to sort out the issue.

While New Delhi rejected Trump’s earlier offer saying that all outstanding issues with Islamabad will be discussed bilaterally, Khan said he was surprised by the Indian MEA’s response. All this happened much before the situation in the Valley came at the forefront.