Prime Minister Imran Khan has revealed that authorities have found 128 more bank accounts through which billion of rupees were laundered outside the country.
“The opposition is raising a hue and cry over ‘threats to democracy’ as it is afraid of going to jails. Even enemies do not treat you the way previous governments treated the country,” Imran Khan said.
The PM was talking to a joint delegation of key journalistic bodies – the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS).
Imran Khan said the country’s economy is facing the worst challenges today. “We have reserves for just two or three months. We have to pay 6 billion rupees daily for debt servicing.
He rebuffed the impression that the government had stopped advertisements of media industry.
“The government has no intention to impose a ban on government advertisements and of controlling media. However, we are only in the process of determining the areas for which advertisements will be issued.”
He said no matter the situation the government will not let the media industry go down. On the occasion he announced slashing 5 per cent import duty on newsprint. Imran Khan said he does not belong to a political family and it was through media industry that he got support of the masses.
“Media have full right to criticise me. However, media heralded end of the government’s honeymoon period in just 9 days,” he said, adding that responsible reporting is much needed today.
He said the advertising by the previous governments was unethical as it was a waste of money.
The premier said R350 billon worth land has been recovered from land mafia in Islamabad. He said Rs10 billion were spent as lawyers’ fees on international cases but still Pakistan lost those cases.
Khan accepted that he could not convey his government program in true sense to the masses but reiterated his claim that the country will change greatly in the next six months.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said he is hopeful that Pakistan will not have to go to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout package. “The next two foreign visits are of high importance. Our talks with friendly countries are under way. If we had to go to the IMF, we shall resist against hard conditions,” Khan added.
Meeting with businessmen
A delegation of the Council of Business Leaders met the PM and presented its proposals for stability of economy and progress in industry, agriculture, information technology and exports.
According to APP, the delegation included Muhammad Ali Tabba, Bashir Ali Muhammad, Sawib Shirazi, Sameena Rizwan, Babar Badat, Khawar Anwar Khawja and other businessmen.
Finance Minister Asad Umer, Adviser to PM on Trade Abdul Razak Dawood, Board of Investment chairman, State Bank of Pakistan governor and other senior officials were also present at the moot.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ghani also met the PM and discussed issues related to education, health and parliamentary affairs. The speaker informed the premier about the ongoing process in reforms in health and education sector.
Imran Khan directed the speaker to provide immediate justice and facilities in health and education sector. He also expressed satisfaction that the parliamentary affairs are being run in accordance with the vision of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
