PM Imran hints at early elections

PM says issue of razing the walls of Governor House was made to break the symbol of colonialism

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday hinted at early general elections in the country.

Talking to senior anchors and journalists in Islamabad on Monday, he said that direction of government has been set clear in the first 100 days. He said we have changed the direction from an elitist system to one that represents people at the grassroots level. He said the system that had been skewed to favour upper class is now more focused on masses.

Azam Swati

On the issue of Federal Minister for Information Technology Azam Swati, the prime minister said that if the minister is proven guilty in a case, he will resign from his position. Imran Khan said doors of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar are open for public all the time and the province has never seen such a chief executive.

“I have not received Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report into Senator Azam Swati’s case,” Khan said.
The prime minister said that all ministers have sent their performance reports within 100 days, adding that he would take decision pertaining to ministers’ performance this week.

National Institutions in Deficit

Replying to another question, Imran Khan said that state owned enterprises are suffering huge deficits due to wrong policies of the previous governments. Now, the government has established Sarmaya Pakistan Company to run these organizations on profitable lines by curtailing their losses and running these on professional lines.

Punjab CM Usman Buzdar and DPO Pakpattan Issue

To a question regarding Punjab CM Usman Buzdar, PM Imran said that can’t he call any police officer and question him. He also expressed regret on Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar’s about nepotism.

Khan said that IG Punjab transferred DPO Pakpattan and not Punjab CM. the premier said that doors of Buzdar are open for public all the time and the province has never seen such a chief executive.

Independent Media

National Assembly and Media are to keep a strong check, the PM said and added if any minister is doing something wrong, he should be exposed.  “I wanted to introduce a system that would be best for the lower class,” Imran Khan said and added the country whole system is for the upper class.

He said that censorship is hiding of information by such people who do not want to disclose the things to public. The prime minister said only public can keep the government in control.

Facilities for Investors and Businessmen

Replying to a question, Imran Khan said the government wants to give an open field to businessmen and investors by enhancing the Ease of Doing Business in the country. The government has assured the foreign investors that their investment will be protected in the country.

Imran Khan said he visited Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia and China in order to seek benefits for Pakistan. He said during his meetings with leadership and business personalities of these countries, they expressed keen interest to invest in Pakistan. He said a good investment from Malaysia is expected soon.

Determined to Eradicate Corruption

Prime Minister told a questioner that Pakistan can have no future if the system of corruption is allowed to run. Giving the example of China, he said the country would have become an economic giant as if it had penalized the corrupt elements.

NAB’s performance

Imran Khan said NAB is working independently and government has no influence over it. He lamented on low conviction rate of NAB comparing it with other anti-corruption watchdogs in the world. The prime minister said government is acting against big wigs and so far encroached land worth billions of rupees have been retrieved from the land grabbers.

Imran Khan said the opposition has been trying to put the government under pressure from day one. He said the opposition only wants to get an NRO in order to get rid of corruption cases. However, this will not materialize.

The premier said civil-military relations are very good and civil and military leadership is on same page regarding key national issues.

Laws against money laundering

To a question regarding money laundering, he said the previous government left a deficit of 19 billion dollars. Imran Khan said the past government spent 7 billion dollars alone to maintain the value of rupee artificially.

Imran Khan said the rupee depreciation is a temporary phenomenon and the economic condition will improve as a result the government s steps to enhance exports and investment and introduce strict laws against money laundering.

Formation of South Punjab Province

When he was asked about formation of new province in southern Punjab, the prime minister said South Punjab province will be created after holding consultation with all stakeholders.

He said PSDP expenditures in Rahim Yar Khan are 2500 rupees per capita in comparison with 70,000 rupees per capita in Lahore.

Khan said administrative facilities are being provided for the creation of South Punjab as this area has lagged behind in development.

Economic Situation

The premier assured the nation that Pakistan s economy will improve to a great extent as these policies start giving fruits.  Khan said that all indicators of the government are moving in the positive direction and the results of economic policies will start producing results in the coming months.

PAC Chairman

Imran Khan on a question regarding the appointment of Chairman Public Accounts Committee said the demand of opposition to appoint Shahbaz Sharif is unrealistic and it will cause embarrassment to the country in the comity of nations.

He said it will not be fair to appoint a person as Chairman Public Accounts Committee who is facing multiple corruption charges. He said if agreement is not reached with the opposition, the government will set up its standing committees.

Kartarpur Coridor

He said the Kartarpur Corridor was opened to give the Sikhs living in India a passage to visit their holy place and offer their religious rituals freely. The Prime Minister said he was happy to see the pleasure on the faces of Sikh pilgrims.

Kashmir Dispute

On Pak-India relations, the Prime Minister said dialogue is the only way to resolve all issues between the two countries, including Kashmir.

He said there can be no nuclear war between the two neighbours as it will destroy everything and no sane mind can think over this option. He said Indian leadership is not ready to hold talks due to upcoming general elections in that country.

The prime minister said unless dialogue is started, various options on resolution of Kashmir cannot be discussed.

TLP leadership

Prime Minister on a question regarding the arrest of leadership of Tehreek-e-Labbaik said when the issue of contest of controversial caricatures in Netherland surfaced, the government launched a full scale campaign to force the Dutch government to cancel this competition which became successful. Pakistan raised this issue at the forum of OIC and the United Nations.

However, the certain religious parties were doing politics on this issue and their activists created mayhem and chaos in the country during the protests. He said these parties were using the issue of blasphemy for their vote bank. He said every Muslim believes in the finality of Prophethood (PBUH).

Governor House

The prime minister said the issue of razing the walls of Governor House was made to break the symbols of colonialism. These buildings were erected to rule the people during colonial times.

Dismantling of these walls will reduce distance between rulers and people. He said first 100 days were really challenging and the government took big measures to overcome the problems it inherited.

Pakistan’s Role

When the Prime Minister was asked on the role of Pakistan in mediation efforts in the Yemen conflict, he said we have conveyed our offer of mediation to both Iran and Saudi Arabia as Pakistan believes that conflicts between the brotherly Muslim countries should be resolved.

Imran Khan said he received a letter from US President Donald Trump in which Pakistan s assistance has been sought on resolution of Afghan conflict. He said Pakistan has rendered huge sacrifices in the war against terror which are unparalleled. The Prime Minister said resolution of conflict in Afghanistan is also in the best interest of Pakistan. Pakistan has always made serious efforts to bring peace in the neighbouring country.

Imran Khan told a questioner regarding the role of establishment in shaping of foreign policy that even in the United States, Pentagon has a role in setting the foreign policy direction. Advice from establishment is taken in issues where security situation is involved. The Prime Minister said the establishment believes in strengthening of democracy. He said the issue of missing persons is being resolved in consultation with the establishment and many persons have been released.