Wheat, sugar crises: PM acknowledges government's negligence

Terming the current Pakistan as the one originally envisioned, Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed optimism that this country will be the destination where people will travel to find jobs. "I myself was not aware of the country's potential until I took office," the premier said while addressing the distribution of 'Sehat Sehulat Cards' ceremony here at the Governor's House on Saturday amid roaring applause and cheers from PTI workers.

Talking about the rise in inflation, the premier explained that when the rupee falls, the price of imports increases. He stated that the wheat and sugar crises in the country happened due to the government's negligence but those who have benefited will be penalized. The government is trying to bring a system in place to anticipate such a situation in future, he said.

"This was our [government] negligence, I admit this," he said. "I am telling you this today, we are conducting an investigation into this and we are slowly getting to know who is involved. I promise you, whoever is involved in the wheat crisis; we will take him to task."

The PM said that the government was getting to know who had "made money off people through artificial inflation". He said the government was making a system which will identify in future about any product that is about to be short in supply. "We will then import that product or be ready for it," he added.

Imran Khan said: "I never said that we will make Pakistan an Asian tiger. I had said that we will make Pakistan a great nation, following in the footsteps of Madina. And the most important principle for Madina is humanity."

He said: "Humanity means that a great nation takes responsibility for the people at the lowest level," he said, adding that the reason for making Shaukat Khanum Cancer Memorial Hospital was because he can never forget the face of a man at Mayo Hospital who was told he would have to buy yet more medication for his ailing brother.

"I used to work as a labourer during the day and used to spend his nights with his brother who was dying of cancer. That completely changed the course of my life. If I would have never seen the face of that man, then I would have never established the cancer hospital and maybe never have entered politics." He said, "It was after that I decided to spend my life working for the people after my cricketing career.

Therefore, the first time we had a provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, we initiated the health cards system. One of the reasons the province gave us a second chance and a two-third majority was the health cards system. This was the first time they were introduced to the concept of a welfare state."

For the first three to four years, Imran said the state of Madina was in great turmoil; Muslims had to face great difficulties. But then the tide turned, and the distribution of these health cards is just another step towards that final destination.

Imran felicitated Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid for providing the health cards to five million families. He said for the first time, they have removed all duties on importing medical equipment because we need hospitals. We are providing incentives on both ends.

Talking about the MTI Act, Khan said, "There is a dire need to sort out the management of healthcare facilities. There is no accountability in government hospitals. The rich go to private hospitals, while the richer go to London for medical treatment. This move is not meant for privatisation, this is to improve our healthcare institutions," he assured.

Kicking off the ceremony, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said that today is the culmination of the Prime Minister's 22 year-long mission. Earlier, the PM began his one-day visit to Lahore by visiting the Punjab Safe City Authority headquarters where he was briefed on the scope of the project, and on making security effective through the project.

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, the Punjab Chief Minister, high ranking officials were also present on the occasion. Imran also launched the global portal for the Police Khidmat Markaz on the occasion.

The premier was informed about the Punjab Safe City Authority and its future plan. Later, the PM held a one-on-one meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar. During the meeting, they discussed the overall situation in the province and the pace of development projects. The Prime Minister directed crackdown against adulteration and artificial price hike through comprehensive mechanism.

The CM apprised the premier about different initiatives of the Punjab government for the welfare of masses. Imran Khan also visited the state-of-the-art mobile laboratory of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA). The mobile lab has the capability to test food adulteration in milk and water on-spot. The Director General Punjab Food Authority briefed the PM about the working of mobile labs.