ISLAMABAD– Prime Minister has said that corruption had eaten away the economies of poor countries like Pakistan and the society as a cohesive whole should extend full support to make the fight against the menace a success.
Responding to public questions during a live broadcast session, the prime minister said a nation could fight corruption only through collective efforts.
“Imran Khan cannot fight it alone, the society carries on this fight and the judiciary fights it. The National Accountability Bureau, which is completely independent, can frame cases,” he added.
The prime minister said corruption was the real issue, which had permeated in all the poor countries of the world, even it shook the economies of the rich.
He referred to the steps taken by Mahathir Mohamad to lift the Malaysian economy and the subsequent corruption.
The powerful elite embezzled the national wealth by holding on to the powerful offices as had happened in Pakistan and then resorted to money laundering as they could not hide such huge amounts in their respective countries, he added.
According to a United Nations panel report, about 1,000 billion dollars from the poor countries were being laundered to the rich states or tax heavens, he said. The report further said that about 7,000 billion dollars had been stashed away in the rich countries, Imran Khan added.
China had sent 450 ministers to jail on the corruption charges and in Singapore, a minister committed suicide after he had been arrested on the corruption charges, he added.
He regretted that in Pakistan the corrupt elements were warmly welcomed and showered with flower petals.
Expressing his resolve, the prime minister said, “Insha’Allah we have to win this fight a fight for the rule of law, which is vital for the country’s survival.”
He said in the fight, all the corrupt elements had gathered on one platform to pull down Imran Khan’s government because it was not giving them any NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance).
Imran Khan said the real issue was rule of law, which was firmly imposed by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in the State of Madina.“We all have to decide together to go after these corrupt elements,” he said.
Prime Minister Imran Khan categorically ruled out normalization of ties with India unless it reversed its illegal acts of August 5 on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
During a lengthy live broadcast to respond to different queries of public, the prime minister to a query replied that no normalization could happen with India unless it revoked its illegal steps on IIOJK. “We have fought Kashmir issue at all global fora in a way never happened in the past,” he said.
The prime minister said import of sugar from India was rejected by the cabinet. The cabinet decided that no step would be taken for normalization of ties with India. “I give you surety that no normalization of relations with India can take place unless it revokes its illegal steps,” he told a caller from Azad Kashmir.
Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to strictly observe the SoPs, particularly the wearing of the mask to protect themselves and their families against the deadly third wave of the Covid19 pandemic.
“I urge you all to wear a mask, and I appeal you to follow all the SoPs for your sake and for the sake of Pakistan,” Prime Minister Imran Khan said in an interaction with the people through telephone and was also aired live through news channels.
It was Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first public interaction after recovering from Covid19 and has since been working from his home office.
Khan said it was Allah Almighty’s blessings that He protected us from the first two waves of the deadly wave of Coronavirus. He said despite vaccinating their people, countries in Europe were going in for lockdowns. He mentioned the impact of the third wave in neighbouring countries – India and Bangladesh and said “Putting on a mask is the most important thing in protecting oneself.”
“Put it on whenever you are in an enclosed room with people, in buses, everywhere,” and said the world today recognises it as an important protective measure.
The Prime Minister said Allah had been merciful for the people of Pakistan during the first two waves, and Pakistan escaped the serious negative impact, but now the people have become complacent and no one was worried anymore. “People are roaming around without any fear. If this spreads more, it would pressurize our hospital systems.”
“We are not going for a lock down, but only implementing restrictions, [but if the situation worsens] else we will be forced to take the next step,” the Prime Minister warned.
He said according to the data the poor were the most affected people in the entire world, and around 150 million people went below the poverty line across the world. The prime minister said it was his wish to protect the poor segments of society at all costs and said he wants them to take safeguards.
“No one can predict how much this third wave will last,” he said and added it was therefore vital that people strictly adhere to the standard operating procedures (SoPs).— PRESS RELEASE
