I will not spare Sharif family as long as I am alive: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan, in response to a direct question from the people, said that in the first and second wave of COVID-19, the nation followed the SOPs while Allah Almighty was gracious and we emerged victoriously from the first and second wave successfully.

The prime minister was taking calls from the public over a selection of issues that included corruption, inflation, problems with the tourism sector, the government's housing societies and relations with India. 

The Premier further said that cases are increasing in India where people are dying on the streets. The third wave of coronavirus is very hazardous whereas the situation in India is in front of everyone and cases in Bangladesh is also going up fast.

While appealing to the nation to wear masks and observe the social distance, he said that It is a good thing that cases in Pakistan are not increasing rapidly, “Follow the rules, wear masks during Eid holidays and protect people from coronavirus, follow SOPs to avoid lockdown, lockdown affects the poorest people.”

"People are getting money so they are buying cars."

The Prime Minister said that the dollar has come to Rs152 rupees which went above Rs160, sales of motorcycles have increased by 21% and car sales by 20%, it has become clear that the economy is on the right track and people are earning money.

 "I will not leave the Sharif family as long as I live"

The Prime Minister said that Nawaz Sharif went out by lying but the court replied that if Nawaz Sharif did not steal public money then why he does not face the courts. He asked the former PM to come back and face the courts as they are free.  “If you are innocent, come to Pakistan.”

The PM said that he sold his flat abroad and brought the money to Pakistan.

There are 4 big palaces in London named after Maryam Nawaz. The British Prime Minister cannot live in the houses where his children are living. “I will not leave the Sharif family as long as I am alive.” Yes, this time the Sharif family will not get NRO, he clarified.

Pakistan has lowest petrol price in the region

The Prime Minister said that our biggest problem is inflation, Shaukat Tareen was brought in to take steps to reduce inflation, the rise in petrol and diesel prices directly leads to inflation.

Pakistan has the lowest petrol price in the region at the moment whereas POL products have become more expensive all over the world.

"Shahbaz Sharif is trying to run away"

He mentioned PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif, saying that he was accused of misappropriating Rs7b. "This is just one case against him' there are many others registered against him [Shahbaz Sharif]," he said, adding that it was just the "tip of the iceberg". 

Nawaz Sharif's sons live in houses worth billions of rupees in London. He said, “I am accountable to Allah and afraid of God however I will not spare the big thieves.”

Sugar mill owners pay Rs10 billion in taxes, Rs29 billion in subsidies

Referring to the meetings of the Jahangir Tareen group, the Prime Minister said, "I have never been unjust towards even my enemies, the ones against whom I have been struggling for the past 25 years," he said. 

All those who are powerful own sugar mills. If one rupee of sugar is expensive, then 5 billion rupees goes into the pockets of these sugar mills. He has paid Rs 22 billion in taxes in five years to date, out of which he has received a refund of Rs12 billion and a subsidy of Rs 29 billion. They do not pay taxes and keep the sugar expensive whenever they want, it is a promise that all mafias will not be discriminated against but no one will be treated unfairly.

"If ministers don't do well, the team will have to change."

Asked about the performance of the ministers, the Prime Minister said that the team has 11 players, not all of them are superstars, some people in the team do a good job, what is good is visible to everyone, many ministers are doing a very good job. And if the ministers don't do well, the team will have to change.

"Why don't those who are shouting for revenge go to court?"

The Prime Minister said that the land grabbers do not touch the powerful, they only occupy the lands of the poor. Former ministers, MNAs and MPAs also occupied the lands, “we have relinquished 21,000 acres of possession to the mafia which is worth Rs 27 billion”, why don't those who are shouting for revenge go to court.

'Ambassadors talk should not have been broadcast live'

Responding to a complaint from an overseas Pakistani diplomat, the Prime Minister said that Pakistani embassies abroad have done a great job as far as diplomacy is concerned. Reports about embassies should not have been broadcast live, whatever the grievances about embassies are they can be registered on the portal.

If India will not back down from August 5, No talks can take place

The Prime Minister said that the western countries are afraid of China, the western countries decided to bring India in comparison to China, the international community should take notice of the atrocities in Kashmir. Until India withdraws the August 5 measures, no talks will take place.

"Bicycle and buffalo theft does not destroy the country"

The Prime Minister said that he grew up with Pakistan. He saw the whole world while playing Cricket and witnessed the system there. “The history of the world is that the nation progressed because of the rule of law, the law protects the poor in the best society, the state of Madinah became a great state because the law was the same for everyone.”

Theft of bicycles and buffaloes and cows does not destroy the country. When the head of state and powerful people steal, the country is destroyed. Every year one thousand billion dollars is stolen from poor countries and goes to rich countries.

Supreme Court was attacked during Nawaz Sharif era

PM Imran Khan said that in the past a decision of Justice Munir had affected the justice system. Justice Munir had ruled in favor of the powerful. During Nawaz Sharif's tenure, the Supreme Court was attacked with sticks and judges kept running to escape. Justice in Pakistan cannot develop without establishing a system.

"I will win by fighting the mafia"

PM Imran Khan said that development in Pakistan cannot be achieved without establishing a justice system whereas bringing the powerful under the law is a jihad.

PM Imran Khan spoke against the various cartels and mafias in the country, saying that they were benefitting from a corrupt system in the country.

The prime minister said fighting the status quo and mafias was the only reason he had become a politician in the first place. 

"You all [Pakistanis] have to stand with me in this war," he said. "And Insha'Allah, I will win this war."

PM Khan is undertaking the initiative as part of the programme “Aapka Wazir- e-Azam Aap Kai Sath” which began its live telecast from 1:30 pm on PTV.

The public can call and speak to the prime minister dialling 051-9224900. The live interaction will be aired through radio and other social media platforms.

The prime minister has been regularly appearing in live TV programmes, enthusiastically joined by people from every walk of life who frequently pose different questions about national, global and other common issues.

These questions are then answered by the prime minister, sometimes with the help of some members of his cabinet.