News Analysis |
Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan addressed the nation on the eve of Wednesday. PM Khan assured the nation that his government was primarily concerned about the poor in the country.
He began his address with “good news” about the financial package the government has secured from Saudi Arabia, he said: “His administration’s focus had been to get rid of the massive debt previous governments had accumulated. We had to pay back our debts otherwise we would have been faced with default.” “We have got an amazing package from Saudi Arabia… which has reduced the burden.”
Imran Khan had made it clear during his maiden speech to the nation that whenever powerful and corrupt people will be brought before the law; there will be massive propaganda against his government.
Mr. Khan was addressing the nation after his return from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He further clarified that, had the government approached the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout directly, it would have to borrow more money, which would have an adverse impact on the poorest segments of society. The money borrowed from friendly countries will help Pakistan get a better deal with the IMF.
The prime minister then explained the reasons for this mess in the first place. He told people that previous two governments were responsible for raising Pakistan’s debt from Rs6 trillion to Rs30 trillion in the last decade alone. Economists and financial experts had concurred that, prior governments have generally been focused on securing loans to run the country without clearly concentrating on generating economic activity in Pakistan.
Read more: “No NRO”: PM maintains rigid stance against corruption
PM Khan recognized the need for immediate bailout of the economy; he is also determined to initiate structural reforms which will let the country run on its own feet in due course. International experts and local analysts suggests that the Pakistani economy has the potential to grow without borrowing money from any international institutions but Pakistan needs to deal with corruption and money laundering immediately.
Prime Minister categorially told opposition parties to forget about any sort of NRO. Prime Minister said, opposition parties that are accusing his government of ‘incompetence’ are doing so because they fear that “their corruption will be unearthed when we do an audit of the Rs 30 trillion”.
The money borrowed from friendly countries will help Pakistan get a better deal with the IMF. The prime minister then explained the reasons for this mess in the first place.
“I want to give them a message: ‘open your ears and hear this: you can come out on the streets. We will give you containers and give you food. You can do whatever you want in the assemblies… [But] no one will get an NRO’.”
Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari is indirectly threatening government of a robust, united and more aggressive opposition if it does not offer an NRO or a deal to the corrupt politicians in the country. Since NAB is a constitutional institution which is working independently, opposition is threatening the system developed by themselves. The government has, on the other hand, made it clear that there is zero tolerance on the matters related to corruption and misuse of authority.
Read more: Did NRO lead to democratic transition or cause billions of loss?
Interestingly, Prime Minister Imran Khan had made it clear during his maiden speech to the nation that whenever powerful and corrupt people will be brought before the law; there will be massive propaganda against his government. A narrative will also be established as if the democracy was under threat, he added.
He maintained that the government is facing and will face more challenges by the political opponents for allowing the NAB to independently conduct inquiries into financial matters of those who have been holding the public offices. PM’s speech has reportedly increased the difficulties for opposition leaders who were persistently working to compel the government to get a deal. “There will never be any deal now,” Premier has made it clear.