IMF conditions to push inflation 40% high in Pakistan: Hammad Azhar.

ISLAMABAD -- Former energy minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar Sunday warned that inflation will further rise by 40% if the PDM's coalition government accepts the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) conditions to finalise the ninth review of Pakistan's $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Addressing a ceremony, the former minister also said that a severe crisis of food items lies ahead.

Lashing out at the PML-N-led coalition government, he said that the economy has been brought on the verge of collapse during the past nine months.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said, should take the nation into confidence on the issues. "Pakistan will have to decide on a new programme with the IMF as the ongoing deal with the international lending body will expire in June this year. Hence, it is necessary that there should be a newly-elected government in Islamabad that strikes a new deal with the lending body."

Stressing the need for early elections and continuity of policies, the PTI leader said that a government that has a...