Omar Ayub says a 21st-century economy can’t run on 20th-century statistics • Party expresses solidarity with Iran, says Israel violating international laws ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Friday rejected data provided by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), alleging that the government was misleading international financial institutions with “absurd” figures reflecting economic progress. Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub Khan, expressed concern over the government’s reliance on outdated and questionable data, warning that it was hindering evidence-based policymaking. His remarks followed a briefing by the Ministry of Commerce on tariff-related matters, during which opposition members challenged the credibility of official statistics. Highlighting what he termed ‘glaring inconsistencies’ in official figures, Mr Ayub said, “When the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports an increase in donkey populations but no rise in mules, it exposes the absurdity of the data being used to shape national economic policies.” He noted that 64 per cent of agricultural data comprised livestock figures, which he said skews sectoral analysis and leads to misguided policy decisions. He likened the situation to “driving at 20 km/h on a motorway”, stressing that Pakistan’s economic progress was being stifled by reliance on obsolete figures while competitors advanced with real-time analytics. Mr Ayub claimed that officials had privately conceded that tariff mechanisms were more efficient during the PTI government, indirectly acknowledging a reg-ression in current policy management. He demanded immediate reforms, including the adoption of modern data collection methods, third-party audits and stakeholder consultations to align tariffs with industrial needs. To address what he described as “systemic flaws”, Mr Ayub proposed digitising the PBS with AI-driven analytics, creating open-data platforms for public scrutiny and involving exporters and manufacturers in tariff discussions. According to the PTI, the opposition’s criticism comes amid growing frustration among businesses over “arbitrary trade policies and stagnant exports”. A party spokesperson said the World Bank had previously emphasised the need for accurate data to attract foreign investment, reinforcing Mr Ayub’s argument that Pakistan’s economic framework required urgent modernisation. “A 21st-century economy cannot run on 20th-century statistics,” Mr Ayub said, urging the government to prioritise transparency and efficiency to revive growth. Later, PTI leaders held a press conference to express solidarity with Iran in the current conflict with Israel. Following the press conference, a party delegation visited the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad. “It is an attack on the freedom of Iran and the PTI stands with Iran in the current conflict,” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar said. He said Israel violated all international laws by attacking Iran, adding that Iran has a right to defend itself. He urged the United Nations to play its role in securing a ceasefire. Mr Ayub said the Iran-Israel conflict was also adversely affecting the world. “In case the war prolongs, the world will have only 12 days of oil reserves left,” he added. He noted that Iran produces around four million barrels of oil per day, accounting for over a third of the global daily consumption of 10.4 million barrels. Allama Raja Nasir said the United States knew that Iran was not producing nuclear weapons. “This is all part of a plan for Greater Israel,” he added. Published in Dawn, June 21th, 2025