The United States Thursday voiced misgivings about Pakistan government’s decision to reverse a recent hike in fuel prices, saying, “they’re important for its long-term economic stability.
“Our position is that … Pakistan needs to undertake difficult economic reforms that are going to require some pain,” State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in Washington. “But they’re important for its long-term economic stability.”
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“Well, that is our belief and that is our position,” Toner said when asked if it was a “bad thing” for Pakistan to reverse the fuel price increases.
“But beyond that, I’m not going to weigh into what is a domestic political debate in Pakistan,” Toner said.
In Islamabad, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday gave into opposition political pressure and reversed fuel price hikes, in a move designed to prevent his fragile government from collapsing