Coming clean on foreign funding: Imran Khan throws debate gauntlet to opposition

 Coming clean on foreign funding: Imran Khan throws debate gauntlet to opposition

Coming clean on foreign funding: Imran Khan throws debate gauntlet to opposition

WANA: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday involved open hearing of the foreign funding case of all political parties, including the PTI, PML-N, PPP and JUI-F, for clarity of the difficulty among the masses.

He said that it might be clear who got funds and from where also as their sources of foreign funding. He said the PTI is that the only party which had raised political funds.

About the PDM gathering outside the ECP Office on Tuesday, the prime minister remarked if he had known the amount of individuals attracted by 11 political parties, he would have asked the PTI workers to hitch them at the show.

The PDM parties’ movement, he said, was a drama to urge an NRO through blackmailing tactics. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who always remained in power and had no answer to how he made billions of rupees properties, was just trying to regain power, he remarked.

To an issue , the prime minister mentioned the economic hardships his government inherited like the large $20 billion accounting deficit and $40 billion trade gaps, which pushed devaluation of rupee and caused increase in prices of essential imported commodities, including pulses, ghee, petroleum products and resultant hike in energy prices. He also mentioned the 18th Amendment, which required the federal to consult the provincial governments before taking major decisions of public importance.

The prime minister, however, added that with the grace of Allah Almighty, things was improving and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the country’s economic indicators were showing positive trends, including enhanced exports, positive accounting in 17 years, Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector growing and textile industry booming.

To an issue , he said with 70 percent poverty line the areas of South Waziristan and Balochistan were left behind thanks to various reasons and now the govt was making all-out efforts to make sure their uplift.

He said that a ‘group of thieves’ had gathered at the platform of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to hunt NRO from the govt .

Addressing a gathering in reference to the Kamyab Jawan Loan Scheme in Sarwakai tehsil in South Waziristan, he said he would never give NRO to the members of the opposition regardless of what proportion hue and cry they raised.

A large number of Barki and Mahsud tribal elders were present on the occasion. He also spoke at a gathering in Wana to inaugurate the loan scheme. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman and Chief Minister Mahmood Khan also accompanied the premier during the visit to South Waziristan.

Imran Khan said this ‘group of thieves’ had succeeded in securing the NRO from former president General (R) Pervez Musharraf by exerting pressure on him. Ridiculing the PDM leadership, the prime minister said that they seemed like “thieves,” saying that he would never extend the NRO to them.

He said that terrorism had caused the foremost damage to South Waziristan. He said compensation would soon be paid to the remaining owners of the damaged houses. The prime minister added that his government was trying its best to make job opportunities for the youth from Waziristan. He said that the people of Waziristan made sacrifices while fighting against British Raj to win independence, adding that they also fought for the liberation of Kashmir. He said that tribal lashkars from Waziristan fought alongside the soldiers during the 1965 war.

Imran Khan said that merging the previous tribal areas with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was a difficult task, saying that some elements tried to foment unrest among the tribal population.

He added that he had directed the KP governor and chief minister to resolve the problems being faced by the people of Waziristan. He said that the majority of the stress of the people of Waziristan were valid.

He also announced that 3G/4G internet services would become operational in Waziristan from today and this facility would help promote education during this area. He said the plantation of olive trees would also start from subsequent month, saying that Waziristan was the simplest place for growing olive trees. He said that after plantation, the trees would be handed over to the local people, who would be ready to earn enough money that they might not got to attend Karachi or elsewhere in search of livelihood.

He said that his government would build colleges and universities and provides scholarships to the scholars . He also talked about the insurance scheme.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party accepted the challenge of Prime Minister Imran Khan of live coverage of foreign funding case.

“Imran Khan should resist on his challenge and hope that which will not take a U-turn thereon ,” said Secretary General PPP Central Punjab Chaudhry Manzoor while accepting the challenge of Prime Minister Imran Khan to opposition for live coverage of foreign funding case within the committee of Pakistan.

Chaudhry Manzoor Ahmed said the PPP was able to accept the challenge for live coverage of hearings and investigations of foreign funding case within the committee of Pakistan on the day to day . “We demand from the Chief Election Commissioner for live coverage of day to day hearing of the foreign funding case,” he demanded.

He said not only the foreign funding case hearing but also live coverage of hearings of the cases of references from the accountability courts should be allowed. Chaudhry Manzoor also demanded that live coverage of inquiries against opposition leaders within the custody of the National Accountability Bureau should even be ensured and allowed.