LAHORE – The Prime Minister Imran Khan says Pakistan is endowed with huge potential which can be exploited by good governance and eradicating the corruption.
Talking to media in Lahore on Sunday, he said the huge loans taken by the previous governments have indebted the country to such an extent where levying of taxes and consequent inflation have become mandatory.
He said that the government won’t be blackmailed with any move, adding that how could the government victimise anyone on the cases registered 10 months back.
“The government will give all required help to the NAB. People should know that there will be no NRO (National Reconciliation Order). We will take stern action against corruption,” he added.
The prime minister said it will be a challenging time, but the country will come out of this.
He said the PTI government is in the process of policy making and bringing reforms in all sectors whose impacts will be visible to people after 100 hundred days of our government.
The premier took a jibe at the opposition leader by saying: “I decided to hold this press conference after watching Shehbaz Sharif’s attempt of becoming Nelson Mandela.”
“I have been saying from last 22 years that the biggest problem of this country is corruption,” he said.
Referring to the illegal money of Pakistanis stashed abroad, PM Khan said properties of 10,000 Pakistanis abroad are being investigated to ascertain whether they were acquired through legal sources of money.
He said Pakistanis bought properties worth Rs 900 billion in Dubai alone during the last five years. Notices have been sent to 300 people to inquire them the sources of their income, he added.
PM Khan said even inside the country 70 bank accounts have been identified where illegal money transactions took place. He said the government is in touch with authorities in UK, Dubai and Switzerland to get the information about the people who have placed their money and bought properties there.
The prime minister said overall debt of Pakistan was Rs 6000 billion a decade ago, which reached Rs 15000 billion after the end of PPP government. The loan reached a staggering amount of Rs 28000 billion when the last government completed its term.
He said external debt has increased from $60 billion to $95 billion whereas the current account deficit that was $2 billion in 2013, is now $16 billion.
PM Imran said that the opposition political parties are doing dramas in the cover of saving democracy.
“If you want to protest, we will give you container. You can shout as much as you want in the assembly. But the corrupt people should get it that I won’t spare anyone,” he said.
PM Khan, CM Punjab discuss overall situation in province
Prime Minister Imran Khan has held a meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar in Lahore on Sunday.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar was also present in the meeting.
Matters of mutual interest and affairs related to the Punjab province were discussed during the meeting.
PM Khan orders timely completion of targets under 100-day plan
Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Punjab government to achieve all the targets set under PTI’s 100-day agenda.
The prime minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting of provincial cabinet in Lahore on Sunday to discuss the party’s 100-day agenda, local government system and other national issues.
The meeting took place shortly after the premier arrived in Lahore on a day-long visit.
The prime minister directed Punjab’s cabinet to complete legislation about the new local government system to devolve the power to grass-root level.
“You have to work hard to serve the people,” he said.
According to sources, the prime minister also urged the provincial government to stand firm on its anti-encroachment operation and promised full assistance of the federal government in this regard.
He said that no poor should be unnecessarily affected by the anti-encroachment drive.
The prime minister also asked the provincial government to fully support the centre’s plantation and cleanliness campaigns to make them a success.
