Trade with India without resolving Kashmir issue would be treachery: PM Imran

He said the country was badly in debt when PTI came to power

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday while taking a clear and unequivocal stand said that trade with India without resolving the Kashmir issue would be a treachery and we cannot betray with the blood of Kashmiris.

Interacting with the public via telephone on Sunday, he said at present, Pakistanis are facing two major problems, inflation and unemployment, but when the wheel of economy moves on and growth rate increases, people would get employment, reducing their poverty.

“Life was a lesson full of ups and downs and no one aspires to rise in life without overcoming different challenges,” he said and added he had told from day one that the people would face difficulties. Referring to his cricket career, he said it was based upon continuous struggle and competition. “The one who succumbs to difficulties in life fails,” he added.

Imran Khan said his government had inherited historic problems, with current account deficit and burden of loans. He said how they had steered the boat out of these difficulties was a crucial phase.

"No other government has faced the same difficulties like the PTI government," he said, adding the country was badly in debt when PTI came to power. He said the opposition had said on the first day that the government was incompetent but no one could have imagined a growth rate of 4.5 percent.

About the economic issues, he said the opposition parties knew these issues, and they wanted to get NRO and tried to create hurdles and blackmail the government.

To a question, Imran Khan said that he tried to improve relations with India after assuming office as better relations with neighboring countries would increase trade, however, trade with India would be treachery without resolving the Kashmir issue.

Giving a clear and unequivocal message, the prime minister said that we stand with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters and it is not possible for us to resume trade with India at the behest of blood of Kashmiris. “India must withdraw all actions taken about Kashmir after August 5, 2019, adding that New Delhi is settling Hindus in occupied Kashmir.”

Regarding Palestine issue, the PM said that the issue of Palestine cannot be solved through oppression, adding that for the first time, there were protests in the West against the atrocities perpetrated on the Palestinians.

PM Imran Khan said economic growth rate had baffled his political opponents who wanted the government to fail in meeting these economic challenges left behind by the successive governments. He said the tax collection by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was historic one. Rs 40045 billion tax collection was a record.

He said the automation system would be fully introduced. In the past, it was resisted by the people taking benefits from the corrupt regime, they did not want it to happen.

The prime minister said, the track and trace system, would also help the system to function smoothly, besides, enhancing the tax collection. During coronavirus pandemic, their successful strategy saved public lives and their livelihood, he added. “Insha’Allah, the country will witness further progress,” he said.

Responding to the question of a caller, the Prime Minister said there has been record production of some major crops including wheat, rice and maize. He regretted that the agriculture sector was ignored in the past but now the government is paying attention to its development on modern lines.

Imran Khan said his main focus is to provide better health facilities to the disadvantaged segments of the society. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has already provided health insurance cards to all the households whilst the same will be done in Punjab by the end of this year.

He said a network of hospitals will be established in the country. For this purpose, the land of Pakistan Railways and Auqaf will be utilized.

Responding to a query of another caller, Imran Khan said a committee has been established to categorize between legal and illegal housing societies. He said this list will also be put on a website so that the people are not defrauded by the illegal housing societies.

He said the land record will be computerized in Islamabad, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by August this year which will also help discourage the land mafia.

He said legislation is also being brought to ensure speedy disposal of land related cases. He said the government has taken strict action against the land grabbers and got vacated a large swathe of land from them.

He said efforts are afoot to bring reforms in Punjab police and the day is not far when the people will also appreciate its performance like that of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

When asked about Rawalpindi Ring Project, the prime minister said this is a very important project for the city and work on it will be started immediately. He said he ordered inquiry into the project after receiving reports of fraud in it. He said inquiry will be completed into it in a matter of two weeks and then action will be taken against the responsible persons who realigned the project for the benefit of few individuals.

 

 

More details to follow ...