ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Salman Akram Raja has expressed serious concern over the country’s rising debt, warning that excessive reliance on borrowing could further destabilize the economy.
Speaking at a seminar, he said that without fundamental reforms, Pakistan’s economic challenges cannot be resolved. He emphasized that even long-term budget planning would remain ineffective unless structural changes are introduced.
Raja cautioned that dependence on loans is worsening economic imbalances and called for urgent reforms to stabilize the financial system. He stressed that sustainable economic growth requires comprehensive and long-lasting policy measures.
He noted that Pakistan’s total debt has nearly doubled over the past four years, increasing by around Rs40 trillion, which he described as deeply alarming. According to him, the current debt burden is now comparable to the cumulative debt of previous decades.
Highlighting the fiscal strain, he said that nearly 37 percent of the federal government’s expenditures are consumed by debt servicing, significantly limiting funds available for development projects.
Raja added that after defense and interest payments, very little fiscal space remains for public welfare and development, urging policymakers to reduce reliance on borrowing and focus on meaningful economic reforms.
He concluded by expressing hope that the government would make sound decisions to steer the country out of the ongoing economic crisis.
