RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Punjab President Qamar Zaman Kaira has demanded the appointment of a federal permanent finance minister.

In a press conference on Wednesday, he said Ishaq Dar artificially hedged US dollar therefore an appreciation in its value has triggered a new wave of inflation.

He said Asif Zardari had proposed to impose economic emergency in the country as debt burden has hit through the roof and present devaluation has increased value of foreign debts by Rs700 billion in one go. “The one who was projecting positive signs of economy is facing cardiac problem,” he added.

According to him, the gap between imports and exports was on the rise and inflation was set to hit a new height. He said Bilawal would hold a big public rally in Multan that would be followed by further public meetings throughout Punjab.

He lamented that the cane growers were putting their crops on fire because of extortion by the sugar millers. “We condemn the mill mafia,” he added.

He demanded payment to growers in accordance to the agreed rates.