PM Imran admits mistake of letting Nawaz go abroad
The PM said that an atmosphere was created on Nawaz Sharif's illness that he would not survive.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday while admitting the mistake of letting former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif go abroad under good faith said that Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif had guaranteed elder Sharif’s return from London.
In an interview with a private TV channel, he said that the PML-N supremo was suffering from diseases but he started doing politics after reaching London.
The prime minister said that an atmosphere was created on Nawaz Sharif s illness that he would not survive, so we put the whole matter in the federal cabinet meeting. “I wouldn’t have given Nawaz permission to fly out of the country if medical board hadn’t tell that his [Nawaz] life was in danger,” he said.
Imran Khan said that Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmeen Rashid is an ideological activist, adding that she and Dr Faisal had also said that Nawaz Sharif was suffering from three to four diseases.
He clarified that National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) was not given to Nawaz Sharif. “I will never compromise on ideology and nor will make concessions to anyone in the name of political stability,” he said and added blackmail me as much as they want but I will not give NRO.
The premier said that he feel ashamed to see Nawaz Sharif doing politics in London, adding that he would never give an NRO even if the world goes upside down. “If I give NRO, I can easily complete 5 year tenure, but I also have to answer to Allah Almighty.”
PM Imran went on to say that former president General (r) Pervez Musharraf committed a crime by giving NRO to save his seat as a result of which the country’s debt increased fourfold.
Regarding Pakistan’s economic situation, the prime minister said that the country was at the verge of bankruptcy when he came into power but his government saved the country from going bankrupt.
Imran Khan said the first year of his government was very difficult but now by the grace of almighty Allah the economic indicators of the country are on positive trajectory. He said Pakistan’s revenue collection saw a paltry growth in July despite outbreak, adding that the sales of cement and vehicles are increasing.
The premier urged the opposition to stay united on national issues like Kashmir crisis and Pakistan s exclusion from FATF s grey list. He said that India has been lobbying to include Pakistan on FATF s blacklist for last two years, adding that only interest of opposition is to go against the national interest just to save its vested interest.
“Government will call joint session of the parliament next week for legislation on FATF s rulings,” he added.
Commenting upon NAB s fair and transparent role, he said 95 percent cases of opposition were registered during their own tenures, adding that even the anti-graft watchdog chairman was appointed by the mutual consultations of PML-N and PPP.
Counting on his party s 2-year achievements, the prime minister said when we assumed the power, the major challenge for us was to save the country from bankruptcy. He said despite of coronavirus pandemic, we earned more revenues than our expectations during last month.
PM Imran said our stock market is showing positive indicators by means of the historic incentives announced for construction sector which gained the trust of investors.
Khan said master plans for all major cities of the country are being devised to prevent the damages of urbanization. He said, in this regard, Ravi Riverfront Urban City in Lahore and Bundal Island City in Karachi are being developed the pattern of the Federal Capital. He said these projects will help curb overpopulation and food insecurity.
He said federal government, in collaboration with Sindh government, will make a plan for a permanent solution to the problems caused by floods by cleaning of nullahs, fixing of the sewage system and resolving the huge challenge of water supply to the people of Karachi.
