News Desk |
Addressing a session arranged by think-tank United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Imran Khan reiterated the desire to have friendly relations with all immediate neighbors of the country including India.
Commenting on the Afghanistan issue, the Prime Minister vowed to press the Taliban to come to negotiation table after returning from Washington as he said he enjoyed their trust for professing right from the first day that the issue could only be resolved through dialogue.
PM Imran said that despite the troubled past, Islamabad now has a better relation with Washington because ‘we are on the same page’.
Prime Minister Imran Khan discussed today his meeting with President Trump, his hopes for an improved relationship with the U.S., Pakistan’s struggles with corruption and poverty, and its relations with its neighbors. Our story: https://t.co/KagsnCXapU #ImranKhanUSIP pic.twitter.com/rnMXjxLCIe
— U.S. Institute of Peace (@USIP) July 23, 2019
In response to a question regarding what makes things different between the relationship of Pakistan with the United States, the premier said: “I always [previously] felt that the relationship was never multi-pronged, always transactional.”
Read more: Imran Khan meets Pompeo: Discusses regional peace, border security
“I would like to have a dignified relationship with the US of mutual trust, as equals, of friendship not as it was before, where it was transactional for aid. Now, we have a relationship based on mutual interest”, answered premier.
https://youtu.be/Xdc_0WuB9vg
On question about Iran-US tensions, the premier replied that people don’t understand the gravity of the situation of a war with Iran, it would be catastrophic for the world and for Pakistan.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized that corruption of ruling elite is the leading cause of poverty of nations and Pakistan is facing the same dilemma.
Thanks to everyone for following our conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan! Watch it again here: https://t.co/G9Zv6BUVWH #ImranKhanUSIP
— U.S. Institute of Peace (@USIP) July 23, 2019
He said money swindled through corruption is taken abroad, making the country bankrupt. Consequently, the number of poor people, lack of basic facilities and other problems increase in the country.
Imran Khan said when the ruling elite is involved in corruption, it deliberately destroys the state institutions so that there is no check on their corrupt practices. He said stolen money can be recovered but it takes quite a time to rebuild the destroyed institutions.