The Awam Pakistan Party (APP) on Thursday cautioned that Pakistan cannot move forward without ensuring the supremacy of law and the Constitution, warning that the latest IMF report on corruption should serve as a serious wake-up call for the country’s leadership.
Read More: IMF reported deep-rooted corruption risks in Pakistan’s governance system
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, APP Chairman and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the report exposes the government’s failure to control corruption and stabilise the economy.
Awaam Pakistan’s Convenor Shahid Khaqaan Abbasi’s press conference on the IMF’s findings about elite capture and the nearly 6% GDP loss to corruption. pic.twitter.com/uvv6GvRGNw
— Fatima Atif (@FatimaHazara75) November 27, 2025
Mr Abbasi criticised the ruling authorities for celebrating economic progress despite clear indicators that governance challenges continue to deepen. He stated that the IMF’s findings have highlighted flaws in national institutions, questioning the government’s claims about development and economic reforms. According to him, the report proves that Pakistan’s perception of progress is merely an illusion rather than a reflection of reality.
IMF warns Pakistan that corruption and elite capture are costing the country billions — but says GDP could rise 6.5% with real reforms.
A critical moment for governance.#Pakistan #IMF #Economy pic.twitter.com/G881UQZrXK— Pak-China Today (@PakChinaToday) November 27, 2025
He added that the situation would appear even worse if the performance of provincial governments was included in the IMF’s assessment. Abbasi stressed that corruption remains pervasive in several sectors, particularly in industries where regulatory oversight is weak or politically influenced.
1/25 Pakistan has just been subjected to one of the most forensic examinations of its state ever commissioned not by activists or opposition politicians, but by the IMF itself. Over 186 pages, the Fund’s governance and corruption diagnostic concludes that corruption here is not… pic.twitter.com/unYWHBsJDs
— brief. (@brief_pk) November 20, 2025
Highlighting chronic issues in the sugar sector, the former premier alleged that sugar mill owners continue to extract nearly one billion rupees daily from the public due to unchecked corruption and mismanagement. He termed it one of the biggest examples of how systemic failures enable powerful groups to exploit ordinary citizens.
Responding to a question, Abbasi noted that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, as a political leader, has the right to express his views. However, he added that since Mr Sharif is currently in government, he holds responsibility for ensuring transparent accountability and good governance across institutions.
Read More: IMF warns corruption threatens Pakistan’s economic stability
The APP chairman urged the state to treat the IMF’s findings as an urgent call for reforms rather than dismissing them as external criticism.