MULTAN: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday said that the government would soon make new anti-money laundering legislation to hold elements involved in purchasing properties abroad through illegal transfer of money accountable.
It was for the first time in the country’s history that mafias looting national wealth were being taken to task, he said while addressing a ceremony here at the residence of Union Council-42 Chairman Malik Abbas Aaraen, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
Qureshi said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leaders were doing undue criticism of the incumbent government in order to conceal the corruption done by Asif Ali Zardari. The people knew that whenever PPP came to power, its leaders looted national wealth and worked for their own interests instead of serving the country, he added.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) government was striving to make Pakistan a clean, green and prosperous country. It was devising policies, which would have far-reaching impact, he added.
He said that the government, in its initial 100 days, had set the direction and the people would feel a positive change after some time. All the ministers had presented reports about the performance of their ministries before the cabinet. The minister said that reforms were being introduced in almost all the government departments as part of good governance. The PTI government would honour the people’s mandate by carrying out unprecedented developments works in the country during its five years term.
Qureshi said that the government had not appointed a foreign minister. He, however, accepted the foreign ministry as a challenge. Now diplomatic contacts had increased both at regional and international levels.
Consultative meetings with experts on foreign affairs were being arranged, while opinions of the senior diplomats were also being sought to improve foreign relations, he added.
Qureshi said that the foreign ministry had issued its 100-day performance report, which contained the successes achieved during the visits of Prime Minister Imran Khan to different countries. It also highlighted discussions with the foreign delegations, who had visited Pakistan, he added.
The prime minister and all the cabinet had appreciated the foreign ministry’s performance, he further added.
The foreign minister also visited some other areas of his constituency and held meetings with different notables. He also condoled with journalist Zafar Aheer the death of his mother. Member of Punjab Assembly Mazhar Abbas Rawan, ex-chairman Market Committee Malik Naseem Raan and PHA Chairman Ejaz Janjoa also accompanied the minister.
