LONDON (National Times) – Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday berated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, saying the elections would not be held through political stunts.

Speaking to the media in London, Mr Iqbal took a swipe at the PTI chief, saying, “Imran ended the government with his own hands and we are happy about it.” Mr Iqbal schooled his political opponents by saying, “There are people in our country, who are persistently talking about default. Such people are hostile to the country.”

Rubbishing the news of default, Mr Iqbal said the country was going through a difficult situation but there was no risk of default.

Speaking about the Geneva conference, Mr Iqbal said, “The friendly countries are extending their support to Pakistan as the financial aid of $10 billion has been announced.”

As for country’s exports, Mr Iqbal said the coalition government was making all-out efforts to increase exports and stressed the need for full activation of the export engine. The exports of $32 billion should be increased to $100 billion, he added.

He said: “The results of the new census will be published on April 30 and the whole process will be completed in August when the assemblies will complete their terms.”