Former prime minister and disgruntled PMLN leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has said that ‘radical’ reforms are inevitable for Pakistan’s economy. He has also said that he will neither contest elections or campaign for a PMLN candidate.

Speaking in a TV interview on ARY News, Abbasi said that the Pakistan Democratic Government model of government was not successful as it was not able to do what it should have despite having no hurdles infront of it.

Asked if he thought Ishaq Dar delivered well as finance minister, Abbasi replied that the effects of his performance will be seen in the elections. However, he stopped short from putting his opinion on Dar’s performance in clear words

Responding to a question about Miftah Ismail, Abbasi said that his knowledge, academic background and experience made him a ready-made finance minister.

Abbasi clarified that he would not be contesting elections on a PMLN ticket or campaigning for a PMLN candidate in Murree. He added that while he had not cut ties with the party, this naturally meant that he did not agree with the party’s brand of politics.

He added that if elections were controversial, the government woudl not be able to accomplish anything because governments work on moral authority.

Abbasi said that the brand of politics and governance traditionally practiced in Pakistan could work in old times but space had shrunk for in recent years and complete change of system was now needed.