Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is the only political entity in the country’s history to launch a campaign against corruption.
He was speaking via a video link on the occasion of PTI’s 25th foundation day.
He said that more than two decades ago, he formed the party in view of the fact that corruption was damaging the country.
He said he had studied political science and played professional cricket in Britain, therefore, “I had realised it early on that nations don’t move towards destruction due to a lack of resources or because of bombings or war.”
“It is corruption which pushes a country towards decline. When people in power indulge in corrupt practices, a nation is destined to fall.”
Prime Minister Imran recalled that he and his friends named the party Insaf (justice) because, without justice, corruption cannot be eliminated.
About the political journey of the PTI, he said that many people joined his party and left but he never gave up despite all odds.
He said cricket taught him not to accept defeat. “A man achieves success when he continues to move forward without looking back.”
He recalled that after a long struggle, the PTI held a rallyat the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on October 30, 2011, which marked the rise of the party.”
He mentioned the 2013 elections and his 26-day protest against alleged rigging.
He lamented that no action regarding electoral reforms was taken despite his protest. He is determined to introduce a transparent electoral system and his government will now introduce electronic voting machines for the purpose, he added.
Prime Minister Imran said the PTI formed government in 2018 when other parties were reluctant to do so as the country was going through its worst crisis.
The economy was ruined, there were unprecedented debts because of the previous two governments, national coffer had no foreign exchange and the current account deficit stood at $20 billion.
He said he was proud of the PTI government’s achievements during the last two and a half years.
“The construction sector is developing at a fast pace, the agricultural sector, large-scale manufacturing industries are thriving.”
About his future course of action to generate resources, the premier said that the government was developing a new city in Sindh and a central business district in Lahore which will add billions to the national exchequer.
He also listed other initiatives of the PTI government, including the construction of dams and the launch of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project to tackle climate change.
Prime Minister Imran said the PTI has taken steps to make Pakistan a welfare state. They include the issuance of health cards in two provinces, the construction of a panah gah (shelter home), and housing loans for the poor.
