Zardari hopes Pakistan's forex reserves to rise to $100 billion 'someday'.

VEHARI -- As the country witnesses a historic economic crunch, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday predicted that the state's foreign exchange reserves would "someday" boost up to $100 billion.

"Pakistan will develop when our exports clock in at around $80-$100 billion. The state cannot work by taking funds from one [nation] or another. InshaAllah, a day will come when our reserves will be $100 billion," Zardari said during an address to a workers' convention in Vehari - a city in Punjab.

The former president's statement comes as the country faces a daunting task on the economic front, a severe balance of payment increase, and an increase in its external liabilities.

The coalition partners are trying to woo the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for unlocking the critical $1.1 billion tranche - which will allow the nation to access further funding from bilateral and multilateral - as its foreign exchange reverses stand at $3.8 billion with an import cover of less than a month.

In his speech, Zardari said he understand the problems of the people, but noted that the PPP backed the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to remove the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government...