Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday hinted at finding 'massive' oil reserves in recent offshore drilling off the coast of Karachi, saying if reserves are found, the country will not be in need of importing oil. "We are hopeful of finding large reserves of gas and oil in the sea near Karachi. The nation should pray for this and I will soon share good news regarding this. God willing the reserves will be so large that we will not need to import any oil," said Khan during an informal chat with journalists.
Khan while coming hard on political rivals said that "blackmailing and defending their corruption" are behind the protest they have been calling for. "Neither blackmailing will work, nor will anyone be given the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)," the Premier reiterated.
"I presented a 40-year-old money trail in court," he said while adding that opposition leaders make faces when he enters the Parliament.
He further said that a minute in Parliament costs the country Rs 80,000 and all what the opposition does on the floor is crying. The opposition is not thinking about the nation at all. Other than talking about hiding corruption, opposition leaders do not raise any other issues on the floor of the House, he added.
"If the opposition seeks to stage a protest, we [the government] are ready to provide them a container at D-Chowk," said the PM. "We [the PTI] staged a sit-in for 126 days, let's see for how many days the opposition can protest," said Khan, adding that they could not launch a movement while the general public would not support them.
The PM further asked, "Under what provision of the Constitution should Nawaz Sharif be allowed to travel abroad?" An amendment cannot be put into effect solely for him, he added.
He further criticised the opposition for giving the designation of chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to a person who has been interrogated in corruption charges by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
"The NAB is an independent department, it is not under the influence of the government," he said. Pakistan Peoples Party laundered billions of dollars in the past through fake bank accounts. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is crying foul because he fears the NAB, he added.
Khan further stated that Ayyan Ali and Bilawal's tickets were bought through the same fake bank accounts.
Regarding foreign policy, he said it is better than the last 20 years as bilateral relations with countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, Turkey and China have been improved.
Concerning relations with the US, he said Pakistan has been appreciated by the state which had forever longed for 'do more' as Pakistan's role in Afghan peace process is being considered vital.
Regarding recent conflict between Pakistan and India, he expressed no hope that the relations could be improved until the general elections are concluded in India. "Pakistan needs to be alert as threat of terrorism by India inside Pakistan persists," he added.
"Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's experienced government left behind a debt of Rs 30,000 billion," he stated.
"Corruption will be curbed when big people are caught. Cases against those 'parties saving democracy' were not filed during our government. There is a loss of Rs 12 billion in the Metro Bus project," he added.
The premier further said if there are "different laws for the strong and the weak then society will be weak."
Speaking about former premier Nawaz Sharif's medical treatment, the Premier stated, "The government is providing him with all facilities and he can seek treatment wherever he wishes within the country. Despite being in power for 30 years, Nawaz could not set up a hospital where he can be treated."
"Nawaz made 30 factories from one factory but could not make a hospital," he added. "There is no such law to send Nawaz abroad for medical treatment," he asserted. "Should we also send the other 150,000 prisoners abroad for treatment?" he asked.
Speaking about relations with Afghanistan, the premier said, "The Afghan Taliban wanted to meet me but the government in Kabul protested so I did not meet them. The Afghan government wants to meet leaders of the group themselves and improve the situation."
"We want friendly relations with Afghanistan. If there is peace in Afghanistan then there will be peace in Pakistan," he added. "There should be an interim government in Afghanistan," PM Imran said.
The Premier announced that a collective programme is being launched from March 27 for the elimination of poverty.
Stating that the government wants to reduce the current account deficit, the Premier said, "I expect the nation to support me." "China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in Pakistan," he stated.
On the increase in gas prices, the premier said, "The hike in tariffs is owing to a shortfall of gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG)."
"The reason for the energy crisis lies in faulty transmission lines. In previous eras, no work was done on transmission lines," the premier lamented.
PM Imran Khan stated that there will be ups and downs before big changes take place in the country.
"All expenses of Bani Gala are paid through my own pocket," he shared. "I paid Rs 6 million myself to install security fences at Bani Gala," he added.
"I sold a gift to construct the road that leads to my Bani Gala residence," he further said. "I am also constructing Zaman Park house through my own personal money."
The premier further said that the sports board system is being completely changed and a task force has been formed. "The sports board had become a recruitment centre," he stated.
"We are also bringing changes in the system of the cricket board. We will give preference to regional cricket," PM Imran shared.
The Premier stated, "I have full faith in the chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Usman Buzdar and Mehmood Khan, respectively. Give both the chief ministers some time and you will see the results yourself."
Comments
Comments are closed.