Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that giving a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to the corrupt elements will be tantamount to committing treason.
“No NRO will be given to any of the corrupt. Letting the corrupt go scot free will be a betrayal and injustice to the nation,” the prime minister said while addressing the ground-breaking ceremony of Mohmand Dam on Swat River in Mohmand district. He said foreign loans increased in last 10 years from Rs 6,000 billion to Rs 30,000 billion because of the poor governance and corruption of the last governments.
The prime minister said the ‘Naya Pakistan’ will be built on the pattern of State of Madina where the writ of the law will be established. He said the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) had set the foundation of the state on social and economic equality. “The Holy Prophet (PBUH) once said he will even cut the hands of his own daughter if she is found guilty of theft,” he added.
The prime minister maintained that the State of Madina is a benchmark for the modern welfare states. He said when a wealthy politician is questioned about the source of his wealth, he propagates that democracy is in danger. “In fact such people make a hue and cry to hide their illegal wealth,” he said.
Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to bring lasting peace and prosperity for the tribal people. He said under a conspiracy, the tribal youth are being provoked against the state. The entire nation will have to be vigilant to counter such threats, he added.
Imran Khan said the tribal areas were neglected by the previous regimes as no development work was carried out there, which resulted into social disparity. The development of underdeveloped areas and uplift of poor segments is the priority of the present government, he added.
Imran Khan said economic stability has direct link with the peace in the region and the armed forces of Pakistan have successfully achieved that objective. For the purpose, a large number of security personnel have laid down their lives. Referring to his recent visit to China, Imran Khan said the country has developed its economy at a massive level during the past 30 years under its visionary leadership. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a depiction of China’s next 30-year planning to strengthen the economy in its western parts by establishing the road connectivity. “By this, the Chines leadership will make the western areas economically developed at par with the eastern ones,” he added.
He said the government is working on the construction of five million houses with full commitment, adding that the Chinese method of pre-fabricated material might be applied for the purpose.
The prime minister said unfortunately no visionary development planning had been made in the country in the past. There was no equal distribution of national wealth among the cities, he said, citing Lahore where Rs 7,000 per capita development funds were allocated against Rs 2,500 per capita funds allocated to Rajanpur.
The prime minister announced Rs 4.5 billion funds for the development projects in of Mohmand, provision of internet services, creating employment opportunities and establishment of more educational institutions. He said Rs 100 billion per annum will be given to the tribal areas for development for next 10 years.
The prime minster extended special gratitude to former chief justice Mian Saqib Nisar for initiating campaign for collection of funds for the construction of dams. Till date, Rs 10 billion have been collected in the fund, he added.