Defence Minister Khawaja Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Islamabad March 6, 2014. PHOTO: REUTERSAs fears that Pakistan faced imminent default prompts policymakers to stave off the dreaded scenario, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday claimed that the country has all but defaulted, saying everyone -- including the establishment, bureaucracy, and politicians -- was responsible for it. "You must have heard that Pakistan is going bankrupt or that a default or meltdown is taking place. The defence minister said that standing on one's own feet was crucial for Pakistan to stabilise itself. Lashing out at the former government, Asif said that terrorists were brought to Pakistan two and a half years ago which eventually resulted in the current wave of terrorism.

Source: The Express Tribune February 19, 2023 04:55 UTC