Pakistan
PM Imran Khan says ready to sacrifice his govt but will not give NRO to Opposition
Imran Khan says Musharraf pushed the country into turmoil by giving NROs to these corrupt leaders just to save his own government
Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he was ready to sacrifice his government and even his life but he could never give up the country’s welfare and betterment.
Addressing to the mass gathering of 'Amr-bil-Maroof', lashing out at the Opposition, the premier said he would never give NRO to the opposition as it was against the teachings of Islam. He added that they had looted the country with both countries and made the people of Pakistan poorer and poorer.
PM Imran said that he understood Islam when he went to the West, which was not Islamic society but he found that Islamic teachings were being followed there as there was the respect of humanity. He said that he wanted to have good relations with every country but at the cost of Pakistan’s interests, adding that he would never compromise on the sanctity and honour of the country.
Imran Khan called out their "corruption" and said that those robbers continued saving each other by using the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) for the last 30 years. "These three rats [opposition bigwigs] have been looting the country for three decades and these three have been trying to destabilise my government from day one," he said.
Imran Khan said that it was because of former president General Musharraf that these corrupt politicians got away with their wrongdoings through the NRO. "Musharraf pushed the country into turmoil by giving NROs to these corrupt leaders just to save his own government," he said. "Whether I lose my government or my life, I am never going to forgive them."
Imran Khan pays tribute to PTI team nation
The premier thanked the attendees of the jalsa for responding to his call and gathered in Islamabad from every part of the country. The premier also lauded his team for arranging the jalsa. "I pay tribute to my team and the nation [for making this jalsa possible]. Thank you for making me happy," he said. "Today, I will have a heart-to-heart conversation with the nation."
PM responds criticism about him using religious references
While responding to the criticism about him using religious references during his political speeches, he said that when he joined politics 25 years ago, it was for the sake of the ideology of Pakistan. "Nations are built on ideologies, and the ideology on the basis of which Pakistan came into being was Islam," he said. The premier then added that he learned through his experience of living in the West that the true teachings of Islam were followed over there instead of Pakistan.
"I learned about the concept of a welfare state after living in the United Kingdom," he said. "This was exactly the model on which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had established the state of Madinah." He said that Muslims ruled the world for a long time as they followed in the footsteps of the holy prophet (PBUH).
"Based on those ideals, I envisioned a welfare state in Pakistan and Alhamdulillah, we have already started a journey on that path. I am proud of the fact that we have introduced a health system in the country based on the principles of welfare."
Subsidy to reduce prices of petrol
Imran Khan lauded his government's efforts in terms of the Ehsaas programme, providing housing loans to the poor, and providing a Rs250 billion subsidy to reduce the prices of petrol and electricity. "Today, I assure you that as I will continue to collect money through taxes, I will utilise that money for the betterment of the country."
"InshaAllah, once we complete our five-year term, history will show that no other government worked as much as the PTI government did [for the development of the country].
World appreciates strategy of smart lockdowns
"I was criticised for not imposing a complete lockdown but later on, the whole world appreciated our strategy of smart lockdowns as we saved our country, our economy, and the livelihoods of the poor."
The prime minister then talked about how the country established records in terms of economy, exports, tax collection, agriculture, remittances, and construction, among other domains.
PM suggests media to invite economic expert in programme
The premier then addressed the media of the country, especially news anchors, to invite economic experts so that they could assess how the government achieved targets. He then talked about the construction of Ravi city, which is being constructed to save Lahore and the Ravi River and the masterplans of other cities.
"None of the Opposition leaders, in the past 30 years, could work on these developments." He talked about the construction of dams in the country and the resolution of water problems.
Earlier, PM Imran Khan reached Parade Ground to address PTI’s public gathering. Banners and hoardings have been displayed at the entry points of the city to welcome different rallies coming to attend the Amr-bil-Maroof public gathering at Parade Ground in Islamabad.
On the occasion, PTI leaders Jamshed Cheema and Musarrat Cheema said that today is a decisive day in Pakistan's history and people, in huge numbers, are heading towards Islamabad all on their own. They said that the public has rejected the Opposition designs No Confidence Motion against the Prime Minister will fail.
Several PTI leaders and a large number of workers left for Islamabad via train as well.