ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday asserted that he was ‘ready to talks’ with anyone except for those who stole and laundered the nation’s wealth abroad.
The premier’s remarks came while addressing a big public gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of several development projects in Mianwali, which included the establishment of City Park at Old Cattle Mandi Mianwali, Dualization of Sargodha-Mianwali Road (Phase-1) and the Miyawaki Forest at Namal Lake.
“Whether it is Waziristan or Balochistan, we will resolve all issues through dialogue. However, those who came to power and stole money will not be given an NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) or offered reconciliation,” the premier added.
The premier continued, “We are ready to talk to everyone who has a different ideology or whom we call right or left,” adding nations that struck deals with criminals got “destroyed” and could never develop because no one would bother to work hard if stealing wasn’t considered reprehensible.
“Every respectable society puts its thieves in jails and doesn’t strike deals with them. The prosperous countries have one rule of law, while those that are poor have different laws for the powerful and the weak are in jails,” PM Imran added .
‘Mianwali stood by me when no one did’
When he began his speech, the premier thanked the people of Mianwali, crediting his premiership to the party workers there. “If I am the prime minister today, it is because of the party workers in Mianwali,” he added.
The Prime Minister further said that by the time his government completes its five years in power, there will be “historic” development in the city. “The people of Mianwali stood by me when no one else did,” the premier said, adding, “I will repay this favour by serving them.”
During his visit, the prime minister broke ground for 23 development projects worth approximately Rs36 billion in health, education and road sectors for the uplift of District Mianwali. He also inaugurated another three projects, which were completed at a cost of Rs5.4bn.
The premier performed the groundbreaking ceremony of upgradation of the 38-kilometre Kalabagh-Shakardara road, which would cost Rs2.7bn and upgradation of District Headquarters Hospital with an estimated cost of Rs2bn.
“God willing, when we complete our five years, Mianwali would have witnessed the development which has never happened in its history. I always promised that if I get a chance, I will provide the people their right through my performance,” the prime minister told the public gathering.
The prime minister launched multiple projects under the Rs6.6bn PM Package-II and District Development Package, which consisted of Rescue 1122 service, 72 road projects and the upgradation of schools.
The rehabilitation and upgradation of Balkasar-Mianwali road, at an estimated cost of Rs13.5bn, and Wooded Land at Namal Lake and Kundia Forest Park costing Rs120 million, were also among the new projects.
Inflation world’s ‘biggest problem’
PM Khan also spoke on the economic front, saying that the “biggest problem” in the world today was inflation, which rose due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He pointed out that inflation was very much a concern throughout the world not just a phenomenon being witnessed in Pakistan. The prime minister said that when lockdowns were imposed, “the US saw record high inflation”.
“When global prices of commodities rose, unfortunately, Pakistan was impacted too,” the premier said, adding that the world as well as Pakistan continues to grapple with the issue.
Speaking of the government’s efforts to alleviate some of the problems faced by the people, the prime minister said that a 30% discount on food supplies will be provided to those earning less than Rs50,000 a month.
In addition, the Kamyab Pakistan programme will provide interest-free loans to two million families, he said.
