PM Imran presents key points as PTI government completes three years

Imran Khan said that Almighty Allah has already out the path for us if we want to be great.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the path of ascension is the path of our holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Allah Almighty commands us to learn from the life of the holy Prophet (PBUH).

Addressing a ceremony in connection with the unveiling of three-year performance report of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government at Convention Centre on Thursday, he said that Almighty Allah has already laid out the path for us if we want to be great.

Recalling early days of his political career, the prime minister said that many mocked him and but he continued focusing on the hardships Holy Prophet (PBUH) faced but remained resolute.

Imran Khan also urged the country’s youth to learn from the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The premier went on to say that Pakistan was passing through difficult phase when his party came into power, adding that their team was new and they didn’t know anything.

Economy

He said that when the present government took reign of affairs in 2018, the country with the highest ever US $ 20 billion of current account deficit was close to default and rupee was depreciating.

“If the friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE and China did not help Pakistan, rupee in the country would have further depreciated,” he added.

The Prime Minister also mentioned 18% growth in the Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector as well as 42% increase in cement sale during the previous fiscal and said it showed enhanced industrial activity.

He said that the receipt of an additional income of Rs 1100 billion by the farmers in agriculture sector and the historic sales of motorbikes, cars and tractors during the previous fiscal also depicted prosperity in rural areas.

The prime minister said that with all major economic indicators showing upward trends, the present government despite various challenges including the COVID-10 pandemic had put the country’s economy on right track.

“During the last three years, the current account deficit has been significantly reduced from US $ 20 billion in 2018 to US $ 1.8 billion, foreign exchange reserves increased from US $ 16.4 billion to US $ 27 billion, revenue collection from Rs 3800 billion to Rs. 4700 billion, workers’ remittances from US $ 19.9 billion to US $ 29.4 billion,” he mentioned.

He said that when the present government took reign of affairs in 2018, the country with the highest ever US $ 20 billion of current account deficit was close to default and rupee was depreciating.

“If the friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE and China did not Pakistan, rupee in the country would have further depreciated,” he added.

He said the industry has witnessed a growth of eighteen percent whilst the cement sale has witnessed an increase of forty-two percent. There has been a record sale of motorcycles and tractors whilst the sale of cars has shown an increase of eighty-five percent. He said 1100 billion rupees of additional income has gone to the farmers. He said it is the first time that our exports are witnessing an increase.

Coronavirus

Comparing the steps taken in Pakistan to curb the global epidemic with other countries, Imran Khan said that if his government had made wrong decision, people would have starved to death like in India.

“I was advised by the opposition to impose India-like lockdown in the country but the National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) made good decision,” he said.

The premier also paid tribute to Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, Dr Faisal Sultan and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar.

Imran Khan further said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) also praised the government s policies to curb coronavirus.

According to the three Years Performance Report launched by the prime minister stated that the NCOC spearheaded the country’s unified fight against the unprecedented risk of deadly contagious disease of Covid-19 with its three-pronged strategy to overcome disease spread.

The NCOC has supported the provinces in augmenting daily testing capacity increased from merely 472 tests in February to 80,000 plus tests; number of labs increased from only 4 labs in February to 172, while through its informed decision making and data based strategies ensured efficient healthcare ramp up including 7,043 oxygenated beds added in healthcare system along with 18,200 oxygen cylinders.

Opposition

Criticizing the opposition, PM Imran said that the opposition is after the army to overthrow the elected government, adding that the opposition has been delivering speeches against the country’s armed forces.

The prime minister said, “Thank God we have such an army but the opposition criticizes the army and is after it to overthrow the elected government while the Indian lobby wants to discredit Pakistan s forces.

He said that it is due to the confidence that the country has in the Pakistan Army, that it was able to boldly tell the Modi government that if they tried anything, Pakistan will provide a befitting response.

PM Khan thanked and appreciated the armed forces saying their professionalism and readiness give a sense of security to the people of this country. He said the real strength and importance of our armed forces came to the fore in the wake of Pulwama incident.

Afghanistan 

Talking about the evolving situation in Afghanistan, Imran Khan urged the international community to play its due role in bringing peace to Afghanistan. He said the Taliban have assured to form an inclusive government for durable peace in Afghanistan and the world community should help them achieving this goal.

The prime minister emphatically stated that Pakistan will not become part of any foreign conflict.

Justice, humanity and self-esteem

Imran Khan said our government is pursuing the mission of justice, humanity and self-esteem. He said the government has waged a struggle against the mafia in order to bring the influential people under the law as it is the only way the country can be taken forward on the path of progress and development.

Corruption

The prime minister said Anti-Corruption Department in Punjab made recoveries of 450 billion rupees in the last three years which were mere 2.5 billion rupees before the PTI came into the power. Similarly, the NAB made recoveries of 519 billion rupees during the last three years.

Ehsaas program

Alluding to Ehsaas program, he said allocation of this social safety net has been enhanced from 110 billion rupees to 260 billion rupees. He said our Cash Emergency program, launched after the breakout of Covid-19 to protect the vulnerable groups, has got recognition from the World Bank.

Women empowerment

He said our focus is to empower the women through education. He said this is the reason that female students at the school level are being given more scholarships than the boys. He said legislation has also been done to protect the rights of women.

Kamyab Pakistan Program

The premier said our Kamyab Pakistan Program is also on the cards to uplift four million poor households. He said under this program, interest free loans will be provided to the families to start their businesses. Besides, one person from each family will be provided with technical training. These families will also be provided with health cards and easy loans to build their houses.

Health and Kissan Card

He said health cards have been provided to each household in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa whilst the same facility will be extended to each household in Punjab by the end of this year.

Khan said Kissan Card scheme has also been launched to provide necessary assistance to the farmers. He said initially this scheme has been started in Punjab and it will be extended to Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.