Tag: Prime Minister Imran Khan

  • Pak ready to partner for peace in Afghanistan, we will not host US bases: PM for WaPo

    Pak ready to partner for peace in Afghanistan, we will not host US bases: PM for WaPo

     Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an opinion piece for The Washington Post, wrote that Pakistan is ready to be a US partner for peace in Afghanistan, but will not host US bases and avoid risking further conflict.

    “We simply cannot afford this. We have already paid too heavy a price. Meanwhile, if the US, with the most powerful military machine in history, couldn’t win the war from inside Afghanistan after 20 years, how would America do it from bases in our country?”

    He added that Pakistan was ready to be a partner for peace in Afghanistan with the US. “But as US troops withdraw, we will avoid risking further conflict,” wrote PM Khan.

    He said that Pakistan and the US have the same interest in that long-suffering country: a political settlement, stability, economic development and the denial of any haven for terrorists.

    “We oppose any military takeover of Afghanistan, which will lead only to decades of civil war, as the Taliban cannot win over the whole of the country, and yet must be included in any government for it to succeed.”

    Highlighting how Pakistan has suffered from the wars in Afghanistan, PM Khan wrote, “More than 70,000 Pakistanis have been killed. While the US provided $20 billion in aid, losses to the Pakistani economy have exceeded $150 billion.”

    “After joining the US effort, Pakistan was targeted as a collaborator, leading to terrorism against our country from the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and other groups. US drone attacks, which I warned against, didn’t win the war, but they did create hatred for Americans, swelling the ranks of terrorist groups against both our countries,” wrote the premier.

    Arguing against giving military bases to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for action inside Afghanistan, he said if the United States, with the most powerful military machine in history, couldn’t win the war from inside Afghanistan after 20 years, how would America do it from the bases in Pakistan?

    The prime minister also mentioned the benefits the region would get after peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s desire for increased trade and connectivity with Central Asia for an economic uplift.

    “This is why we have done a lot of real diplomatic heavy lifting to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table, first with the Americans, and then with the Afghan government,” PM Khan wrote, highlighting Pakistan’s efforts for peace.

    “We know that if the Taliban tries to declare a military victory, it will lead to endless bloodshed. We hope the Afghan government will also show more flexibility in the talks, and stop blaming Pakistan, as we are doing everything we can short of military action.”

    The premier concluded by saying that promoting economic connectivity and regional trade was the key to lasting peace and security in Afghanistan, adding that further military action was “futile”.

    “If we share this responsibility, Afghanistan, once synonymous with the ‘Great Game’ and regional rivalries, could instead emerge as a model of regional cooperation.”

  • ‘If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on men, unless they are robots,’ says PM Khan

    In an interview with “Axios on HBO” with Jonathan Swan, which aired at 3am PST on Monday morning, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that “if a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on the men, unless they are robots”.

    Prime Minister Khan discussed various issues in his interview with Axios’ Swan ranging from US withdrawal from Afghanistan to Pak-US relationship, Uyghur Muslims in China and sexual violence in Pakistan.

    Rape and sexual violence

    Swan asked PM Khan about his previous comments pertaining to rape and vulgarity, PM said that it is “such nonsense”.

    “I said that the concept of purdah is avoid temptation in the society. We don’t have discos here, we don’t have night clubs, so it is a completely different society, way of life here. So if you raise temptation in the society to the point and all these young guys have nowhere to go, it has consequences in the society.”

    Swan asked: “Do you think that what women wear has any affect, that that’s part of this temptation?”

    “If a woman is wearing very few clothes, it will have an impact on the men, unless they are robots. I mean it’s common sense,” replied PM.

    Swan asked if this would provoke acts of sexual violence, to which PM Khan responded, “It depends which society you live in. If in a society, people haven’t seen that sort of thing, it will have an impact on them. If you grow up in a society like you, maybe it won’t on you. This cultural imperialism, whatever is in our culture must be acceptable to everyone else. It’s not.”

    “Jonathan, it’s about my society. My priority is how my society behaves, what reactions are caused in my society so when I see sex crime going through the roof, we sit down, we discuss how we are going to tackle this. It is having an impact in my society. We have to do something about it.”

    US withdrawal from Afghanistan

    Axios’ Swan asked PM Khan if he was happy that the US military is finally withdrawing from Afghanistan after 20 years. PM said, “Happy in one way because there was never going to be a military solution in Afghanistan. Anxious that they [the US] are leaving without a political settlement, there is a possibility of civil war.” When asked what would a political settlement look like, PM said that a political settlement in Afghanistan “would mean a sort of a coalition government, a government from the Taliban side and the other side. There is no other solution”.

    Swan asked if PM Khan thinks the Americans made a mistake by saying they are getting out by September 11. The PM said they got themselves in such a big mess that they had to give some sort of timeframe. “But the moment they gave a timeframe, Taliban would have considered that a victory.” PM was asked how he felt about the prospect of the Taliban effectively controlling Afghanistan and if he is happy to welcome them into the community of nations. “As far as Pakistan is concerned, whoever represents the people of Afghanistan, we will deal with them.”

    Swan asked what if they were not democratically elected and does it not concern you on some level that this group of people is accumulating power right next door to you. PM Imran Khan said, “Look, I am not a spokesman for Taliban. For me to say, you know what they are doing or what they shouldn’t be doing is pointless. In case Taliban go for an all-out victory, there is going to be incredible amount of bloodshed. And let me tell you, the country that is going to suffer the most after Afghanistan is going to be Pakistan. We already have three million Afghan refugees here. And this could lead to another exodus so that is our biggest concern. The Americans, before they leave, there must be a settlement.”

    Relationship with the United States

    Swan asked PM Imran Khan why the American CIA Director Bill Burns made an unannounced visit to Islamabad. “Ever since 9/11, there’s constantly been in touch between our intelligence agencies.” PM Khan said he did not meet the CIA director but the head of ISI met him.

    Swan said that the Americans want to have their spies and special forces based in Pakistan to keep an eye on what is happening across the border. To a question if he will allow the American government to have CIA here in Pakistan to conduct cross-border counterterrorism missions against al-Qaeda, ISIS or the Taliban, PM Khan emphatically said, “Absolutely not.” The host interjected and asked: “Seriously?”

    “There is no way we will allow any bases, any sort of action from Pakistani territory into Afghanistan. Absolutely not. Pakistan suffered 70,000 casualties, more than any other country by joining the American war. We cannot afford any more military actions from our territory. We will be partners in peace, not in conflict,” added Khan.

    Swan said that the American military is discussing doing airstrikes potentially to support the Afghan forces against the Taliban. “Would you allow the American Airforce to use your air space for those airstrikes?”

    “We are not going to be part of any conflict anymore,” replied Khan.

    But you haven’t decided yet whether you will let them use your airspace, asked Swan again. PM Khan said this has not been discussed at all. “Why would the Americans be using bombing Afghanistan after it hasn’t worked for 20 years, why will it work again?”

    Kashmir resolution

    PM Khan said he has not spoken to US President Joe Biden since he took office. “Whenever he has time, he can speak to me. But at the moment, clearly he has other priorities.” When asked what would he say to Biden when he does meet him, PM said: “The US has a big responsibility as the most powerful nation in the world. Almost 1.4 billion people are living in the subcontinent. We are held hostage to one dispute in Kashmir. A disputed territory. According to the United Nations Security Council resolutions, there should have been a plebiscite for the people of Kashmir to decide about their own future. That has never taken place. It’s festering. If the Americans have the resolve, the will, it can be sorted out.”

    Nuclear weapons

    Prime Minister Khan that the purpose of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons “is not an offensive thing”. He said that any country that has a neighbour seven times the size as Pakistan has, “would be worried”. PM Khan said he is “completely against nuclear arms. I always have been”. Ever since the nuclear deterrence, Pakistan and India have not been to war despite three wars in the past. “We have border skirmishes but we have never faced war. The moment there is a settlement on Kashmir, I believe the two neighbours will live as civilised people. We will not need to have these nuclear deterrence.”

    Uyghur Muslims in China

    Swan asked PM Khan why he does not speak about Uyghurs in China when he is so vocal about Islamophobia in the west.

    “What our conversations have been with the Chinese, this is not the case according to them. Whatever issues we have with the Chinese, we speak to them behind closed doors. China has been one of the greatest friends to us in our most difficult times. When we were really struggling, our economy was struggling, China came to our rescue so we respect the way they are,” said PM Khan. He also questioned why the people of Kashmir are ignored and how this is hypocrisy.

    “Am I going to start talking about everything? I concentrate on what is happening on my border, in my country…that concerns me more.”

  • Bilawal congratulates PM for increasing the population of donkeys in the country

    Bilawal congratulates PM for increasing the population of donkeys in the country

    Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari criticised the government on Friday saying that as per the economic survey 2021, if nothing else, the population of donkeys has increased during the regime of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the country, for which Prime Minister Imran Khan’s policies must be lauded. 

    Addressing the National Assembly (NA) a day after Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif delivered his budget speech, Bilawal slammed the government for presenting a budget that was a “pack of lies”.

    PPP chairperson reprimanded the government for abandoning the country’s population during these unprecedented times, saying that the ruling PTI could never realise the problems of a common man.

    Bilawal went on to add that people, who were suffering because of the inflation brought on by Khan’s government, were well aware that the claim of four per cent economic growth was nothing but a lie.

    He added that the nation might still have forgiven the government had they not “abandoned the people so ruthlessly amid these difficult times”.

    “We introduced the revolutionary Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) but this government, on the other hand, persistently talks about the Ehsaas [programme], when you have no realistion [of the people’s predicament].”

    He said that people will never forgive the government for further pushing them below the poverty line.

    Bilawal said that if the country has seen economic growth, as claimed by the PTI-led government, then why does it have to “beg before the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?”

    “If the economy has significantly improved, then the government should immediately opt out of the IMF’s deal,” he said.

    Pointing out that the PPP had increased salaries multiple times and raised pensions, he said the PTI had not raised salaries in the last two years even though the entire world was struggling in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic and every Pakistani was facing financial troubles.

    The PPP chairperson recalled that the PTI had reached an agreement with government workers on raising their salaries, adding that the insufficient hike in their salaries was an act of deception by the government.

    As Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar began his speech in response to Bilawal’s criticism, Shehbaz began making his way out of the assembly, prompting the minister to challenge him to stay and hear him out.

    “If you are not cowards then remain in your seats and listen to what I have to say,” said Azhar.

    “If you have the strength to hear the truth, then listen to what I have to say,” Azhar said but the PML-N president did not react and exited the house.

    https://twitter.com/trendinpk/status/1405788144121921538

    Azhar began his speech by hitting back at Bilawal, saying, “Those who have never worked a day in their life or taken any responsibility are telling us how to run the economy and the country.”

    Mocking the way Bilawal kept switching between English and Urdu during his speech, Hammad Azhar implied that oratory skills are not enough to remove the stains of corruption from someone’s character.

    “They said to us that this is a government of ‘puppets’. Do they want a government of convicts? Do they want a government in which people are known not by their names but by the dirtiest scandals in the history of this country?”

    He said that the PTI had come into power after being elected, adding that it had not “threatened or bribed its way into government”.

    Azhar said some people in the Opposition say that despite corruption, there is also progressive work being done. “If corruption had anything to do with development, Sindh would have progressed beyond California.”

    If someone wants to see the destruction that corruption brings, then go and look at the state of Sindh, the minister said. “You will see how corrupt rulers ruin the lives and the futures of people. Sindh is a living example of this.”

  • Shehbaz Sharif finally delivers his speech in NA, uninterrupted

    Shehbaz Sharif finally delivers his speech in NA, uninterrupted

    Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday finally delivered his speech in the Lower House after three days of chaotic behaviour by lawmakers.

    Speaking on the floor of the NA today, the Opposition leader said all of the lawmakers present in the assembly were elected by 220 million Pakistanis and they were responsible for changing the nation’s future for the better.

    There was complete silence in the house during Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, who lashed out at the government and Prime Minister Imran Khan for “ruining lives of Pakistanis”

    He said that in the last three years, many taxes were imposed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government because of which the “poor man’s meals have been halved.” Hunger and hopelessness had been created in the country because of previous budgets, he said, adding that Budget 2021-2022 would further increase inflation and the poor would suffer more, reports Dawn.

    The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader pointed out that there was a lack of trust among provinces and between the provinces and the federal government, claiming that such differences have never been seen before.

    “If only Punjab progresses and the rest of Pakistan does not, then it is not progress,” stressed Shehbaz.

    Shehbaz also criticised the PTI government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, saying “the entire Opposition termed Covid as a ‘national emergency’ which [they and the government] would tackle together after setting aside our differences.”

    He recalled that National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser had then called a conference which was also attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan. “We were all [united] on this but the prime minister left after his speech. Was there something more important than Covid?”

    “Can any nation remain alive like this with an atomic bomb on the one hand and a begging bowl on the other?” he asked.

    He stressed that the country would have to generate resources. “If we want to end dictation, then we will have to break the begging bowl.”

    Shehbaz said that while the government should help in setting up langars (soup kitchens), but its “real work” was policy-making and making sure that those who had to go to the soup kitchens were able to stand on their feet.

    “The aim is not to raise an army of beggars but an army of doers and nation builders. If agriculture and industry are destroyed and poverty and unemployment are taken forward, then nations do not progress,” he said. This was the reason that after the latest budget, people were “screaming that their pockets are empty and [asking] how to feed their children”, he added.

    Talking about Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin’s speech in the NA last week, Shehbaz recalled that “the minister said Pakistan was a very successful crop-producing country but in the very next breath he said that Pakistan had become a food importer.”

    Earlier today, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak said the government and the Opposition had come to an agreement to ensure the smooth running of National Assembly sessions.

    Speaking to the media in Islamabad alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Khattak said a “consensus” was reached in a meeting with the Opposition and a proposal was devised, which would be elaborated upon by Qaiser later today.

    The NA was subject to disruption this week amid repeated confrontations between the treasury and Opposition benches during the budget session.

  • Electronic voting the only way to ensure transparency: PM Khan

    Electronic voting the only way to ensure transparency: PM Khan

    Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that electronic voting is the only way to ensure transparency and prevent rigging in the elections, a statement from the PM Office said Thursday.

    PM Khan made these comments during a meeting in Islamabad, where he was briefed on the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the electoral process.

    PM Khan further said that overseas Pakistanis are an asset for Pakistan and they would definitely be involved in the electoral process.

    “Overseas Pakistanis are an asset of the country, they must be involved in the election process. Electoral reforms, electronic voting, and voting process for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon,” he instructed the concerned officials.

    On June 10, the National Assembly had passed the Elections (Second Amendment) Bill, which pertains to fair, free and transparent election through the utilisation of technology and modern gadgets.

    However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has expressed severe concerns over some clauses in the electoral reforms bill passed by the National Assembly, including voting rights for overseas Pakistanis as well as use of EVMs, and has assessed that many proposed amendments may violate constitutional requirements, reports Dawn.

    ECP says the right of vote to overseas Pakistanis cannot be given till the required legislation by parliament is made regarding various practical aspects, including whether they should have extra seats in the Assembly, what kind of procedure should be adopted for them to vote, etc.

    ECP says the use of EVMs cannot be adopted till it is determined whether these machines are capable of conducting free and fair elections; whether they can operate in conditions of hot weather, load-shedding, etc.; how the accuracy, secrecy, and transparency of votes can be ensured; and whether without proper testing, the ECP can ensure free and fair elections with these machines.

  • PML-N blames PM Imran of being responsible for ruckus in the National Assembly

    PML-N blames PM Imran of being responsible for ruckus in the National Assembly

    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) accused Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan of being responible for yesterday’s ruckus in the National Assembly (NA). Khaqan alleged that after the PM was called ‘Donkey King’, he tasked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarians to heckle the Opposition. Khaqan revealed on Express News‘ talk show, ‘Kal Tak with Javed Chaudhry’ that a PTI member told him this. Khaqan termed the ruckus as an attack on the parliamentary system.

    Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Khaqan asked for Speaker Asad Qaiser’s resignation. He said that ministers were using filthy language in front of the Speaker but he couldn’t do anything. “If the Speaker had any respect he should have resigned in protest if he can’t do anything.”

    “The NA Speaker has failed to deliver. He had already lost our trust and now has lost his government’s as well.”

    Khaqan further said the Speaker himself has said he cannot do anything as he is “under pressure”.

    https://youtu.be/Hub–QYT7-w
    Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Express News

    PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal also accused the PM of conspiring against the Opposition. “[Asad] Qaiser was asked by the Prime Minister that when our [government] ministers were heckling the Opposition, why did he adjourn the session.”

  • PM admires injured traffic cop for his dedication

    PM admires injured traffic cop for his dedication

    Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday appreciated an Islamabad traffic police officer, Qaiser Shakeel, for performing his duties despite sustaining injuries.

    The police officer, according to the Prime Minister Office (PMO), had sustained injuries on June 9 but he reported to work on June 11, after taking only two days off.  

    “Such actions uplift the image of the police when one man decides to serve the people with dedication, and that is why I especially called you to the PM Office,” the premier said as he spoke to Shakeel.

    Shakeel said he performs his duty with dedication and vowed that to continue performing his duties for the masses. 

    “If my prime minister can work for the people 24/7, then why can’t I,” he said. 

  • ‘Muslims living in the western world are the ones who suffer from Islamophobia’: PM Khan

    ‘Muslims living in the western world are the ones who suffer from Islamophobia’: PM Khan

    In an interview with CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan said he had been trying to tell the world community that the Muslims living in the western countries are the ones who suffer from Islamophobia, and “we regularly hear about these incidents and many of them are not reported and our embassies tell us about those. So this gap needs to be closed”.

    The prime minister highlighted the grave issue of Islamophobia in the western world, which recently claimed the lives of four members of a Pakistan-origin family in Ontario last week.

    “Everyone is shocked [in Pakistan], because we saw the family picture, and so a family being targeted like that has had a deep impact in Pakistan,” PM Khan said.

    The prime minister said the use of the term “Islamic radicals” indicates there is something wrong with the religion, which radicalises people. Contrary to this, terrorism has no religion as extremists are found in every society, he added.

    Replying to a question about what should the governments do to shut down hate material, the prime minister called for strict action against online hate because such websites divide humanity by creating hatred through hate material.

    He further said that he “mostly agrees” with Trudeau and his position on extremism, but also expressed concern about some Canadian laws that he believed were contributing to Islamophobia.

    He asked as to why it became a big issue when someone wears a hijab (head scarf) or grows a beard in the west. “People objecting to hijab and a beard is quite bizarre for me. In liberal democracies, why is this an issue?”

    He described Quebec’s Bill 21 — which banned public servants, including teachers and police officers from wearing religious symbols at work — as a form of “secular extremism” that led to intolerance against Muslims.

    “I find this law secular extremism as it really is against, you see the whole idea behind secularism is liberalism, you want human beings to be basically free on how and the way they want to dress up as long as it doesn’t cause pain or hurt others. This is how I understand how liberalism is. If some cover their hair or their head, why has it become such a big issue,” he contended.

  • Budget 21-22: Minimum wage is 20,000 and other key announcements

    Budget 21-22: Minimum wage is 20,000 and other key announcements

    Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin on Friday presented the Rs 8.48 trillion federal budget for fiscal year 2021-22 (FY22) in the National Assembly.

    Key announcements during the budget presentation

    Rs 900 billion allocated for federal Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) — 40 per cent increase from last year.

    Minimum wage has been increased to Rs 20,000.

    Rs 12 billion allocated for agriculture sector.

    Rs 118 billion for power distribution.

    Rs 61 billion for Viability Gap Fund.

    Rs 14 billion for Climate Change mitigation projects.

    $ 1.1 billion for vaccines procurement.

    Rs 100 billion for Covid-19 Emergency Fund.

    Rs 12 billion special grant for Sindh.

    For Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the government had set Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target at 4.8 per cent.

    Large-scale manufacturing sector recorded growth after many years and posted 9 per cent growth during FY-21.

    During the fiscal year 2020-21, tax revenue increased and showed 18 per cent growth as tax receipts crossed Rs 4 trillion.

    Exports increased by a significant 14 per cent as a rebate, duty drawback helped the sector flourish.

    Special economic zones (SEZs) will be used to create jobs which will also ensure growth in exports.

    Highlighting PM Imran’s vision of planting trees, he said Rs 14 billion have been allocated for the government’s vision of “One Billion Tree Tsunami.”

    Non-tax revenues to rise by 22 per cent during FY-22, meanwhile federal expenditures to rise 15 per cent.

     The finance minister said no taxes to be applied on salaried class.

    The government decided to reduce sales tax on electric vehicles from 17 per cent to 1 per cent.

    Federal excise duty has been reduced from 17 per cent to 16 per cent, he said adding that the withholding tax (WHT) will be reduced by 40 per cent.

    The finance minister further added that the WHT on mobile phone services has been reduced from 12 per cent to 10 per cent.

    The government plans to further reduce taxes on mobile phone services to 8 per cent.

    If mobile phone call duration exceeds three minutes, one rupee per call in addition to the rates of duty will be charged.

    For SMS service, ten paisa per sms in addition to the rates of duty will be charged.

    Tax on Internet services not approved by the Cabinet. FED reduced to 16 per cent from 17 per cent . IT and IT-enabled services given zero duty regime status. Data storage and Cloud computing included in the definition of IT enabled services .

    Withholding tax on oil field services, warehousing services and collateral services have been reduced to 3 per cent from 8 per cent

    The Telecom sector will be given industrial status in the fiscal year 2021-22.

    The finance minister also announces a one-year customs duty exemption for electric vehicles.

     Pensioners will get 10 per cent rise. Integrated allowance for Grade 1-5 has been raised from Rs 450 to Rs 900.

  • What does PM Khan regret?

    What does PM Khan regret?

    Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed on Sunday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan regrets that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was able to escape from the grip of the law by leaving Pakistan for London.

    He said that Nawaz deceived the government and went abroad using “fake medical reports” and the prime minister has great sorrow over this.

    The government stopped Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif from going abroad and later placed his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).

    Sheikh Rasheed said a person whose name was included in the ECL could challenge the decision in 15 days but Shehbaz Sharif did not challenge the Interior Ministry’s decision.

    Rasheed went on to say that PM Imran Khan was lucky to have such an “incompetent” and “sluggish” Opposition.

    He further added that the entire Jahangir Tareen group will support the upcoming budget.