- Says had never been involved in nepotism and regretted cricticism over appointment of Zulfi Bukhari as his advisor
ISLAMABAD, December 3: Prime Minister Imran Khan has talked about early elections, likely reshuffle in the federal cabinet and United States President Donald Trump’s letter seeking Pakistan’s help in Afghanistan peace process during his first interview to the local media after assuming the office in August.
The prime minister also discussed bilateral ties with India and controversies surrounding his first three months at the country’s top office while interacting with a selected group of journalists and senior anchor persons.
Hinting at possible changes in the federal cabinet in the next 10 days, PM Imran interestingly said that early elections in the country cannot be ruled out. He said he had never been involved in nepotism and regretted cricticism aimed at appointment of his friend Zulfi Bukhari as his advisor on overseas Pakistanis.
The premier also said that he only came to know about the sudden increase in dollar’s value through television, adding that the State Bank took the decision without taking the government into confidence.
“We are working to introduce a uniform education and health systems, which will provide equal opportunities and to all,” he remarked, adding that the government will introduce health cards throughout the country, as well as a legal aid service to bring professional legal help within the reach of the masses.
In response to a question regarding his famous statement on ‘chicken and egg economy model’, the prime minister said the actual poverty is in rural areas of the country, “that’s why we need to empower rural people. Halal food industry, for instance, should be exploited at its optimum.”
To a question pertaining to his recent statement on dollar’s recent hike against the rupee, wherein he had advised the nation to not worry, PM Imran said the currency decline was a temporary phenomenon, and that the country’s economic indicators stayed positive.
“Pakistan’s exports are going to improve further. The single most important thing is investment and Pakistan is progressing towards that goal as per plan,” he added.
On the performance of the federal ministers, the premier said he had received performance reports from the federal cabinet, especially on the cost-cutting measures they have taken. “The government will act on these reports … and it might sack some of the ministers,” he remarked.
“We studied models of Singapore and Malaysia as they ran the state entities in the best way possible … we will do the same,” said the prime minister while commenting on the country’s economy.
He lamented that the chief justice referred to ‘nepotism’ in Zulfi Bukhari’s appointment as advisor to PM on overseas Pakistanis.
PM Imran had appointed his close aide Zulfiqar Hussain Bukhari, as his special assistant in September. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had remarked during a hearing that, “such issues should be run as per the national interests and not on the basis of friendships.”
“Some corrupt bureaucrats, who were part of the status quo, have been attempting to sabotage the system, so they could make illegal money again,” he commented on his government’s clashes with a number of high-level officials.
On the ongoing encroachment drive, the premier said he had explicitly directed the authorities to only go after ‘mafias’, and make sure that houses of poor citizens are not destroyed.
The prime minister said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was an autonomous body and the government had no say in its affairs in any way. “My political opponents have been after us since day one as they fear that their massive corruption will be unmasked,” he remarked.
PM Imran also vowed to rid the nation of corrupt bureaucracy and added that bank account details have been acquired with assistance from the foreign countries.-Agencies
