- Says foreign policy in ‘new Pakistan’ to be formed keeping national interest in view
ATTOCK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan urged the masses to take to streets with him if the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) manages to pass a law aimed at weakening the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Addressing a public rally in Attock on Monday, Imran Khan blasted the ruling PML-N for making a “silly legislation to make a criminal its president.”
He also said that people remember their well-wishers only and those who work for removing their grievances. He added that among the politicians, few come into politics to serve the countrymen and the majority comprises of those struggling for the sake of personal interests, but people hate such individuals.
“Only those should join my party who would serve the people,” he said. The PTI chairman added that the party would induct only those in the cabinet who think about the nation.
“Nawaz and Zardari bat for themselves, they never played for the country,” he said. “Where did they stand before they rose to power?” he asked and accused them of stealing money from the people.
Imran Khan also criticised Ahsan Iqbal for “innocently admitting that corruption exists all over the world.”
Taking exception to Nawaz Sharif, he said that the former prime minister said that the people will hold him accountable and added, “A doctor is supposed to treat his patients, judge to deliver justice and people to only cast vote.”
“The people of Pakistan will not allow looting of their money from now on. Nawaz says the country’s progress will be hindered if corruption is prevented,” the PTI chairman said, questioning how will the country flourish if someone plunders its wealth after coming into power.
Lamenting high taxes in the country, he said, “There is 35 per cent tax on phone and petrol and 50 per cent on diesel. Back in 2008, when Zardari and Nawaz came into power, so much could be purchased for a thousand rupees and now see what you can purchase for the same amount.”
“We have to make the country stand on its own; we are not to bow before anyone or ask for loans,” the PTI chief said. “The one who lends you money takes your freedom in return,” he added.
He said that Iran initiated gas pipeline project and Pakistan could get LNG on cheaper rates had the government availed the offer. “But the ones who provided us loans did not allow us to take gas from Iran,” he lamented.
The PTI chief also vowed that his party, if it rose to power, will design a policy to rid 100 million down-trodden Pakistanis of poverty. He also assured that the foreign policy in the “new Pakistan” will be formulated in the best interest of the nation, adding that a country in debt cannot be free to make policies for external affairs.
Imran also said that PTI will not come under external pressure. He also promised to improve the situation of the environment in the country by growing trees like in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
He also outlined the priorities of PTI if the party comes to power in next elections.
The PTI chairman also talked about the rising poverty, unemployment, and insufficient facilities in the public hospitals. “In the Western world, the weak are employed by suitable policies. Pakistan has 100 million people under poverty line,” he said, stressing that only the rich thrive in existing policies.
He also demanded the supporters to protest against the corrupt politicians including the Sharif family to save the future of the country. “Our judiciary has stood up and given verdict on merit,” he added.
Imran congratulated Major Tahir Sadiq on joining PTI and said that he will be happy with his decision in the future. He added that the PTI workers have already expressed their love for Maj Tahir during the Attock rally.
