Prime Minister Imran Khan put a greater focus on his government’s plans ahead rather than analyse the tasks already accomplished, at an event held by the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad on Thursday to review their first 100 days in power.
PM Khan, who was the last of an assortment of government speakers at the event, began by thanking first lady Bushra Bibi for putting up with his tough schedule, adding that “I have taken just a single day off in the first 100 days”.
He said that the policies adopted by his government in the first century of days in power were inspired by the state of Madina. “In Madina, Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) adopted policies that were based on compassion; all policies were made for the poor,” he said. “The tax system of Zakat was established where money was collected from the rich and redistributed to the downtrodden.”
A major contributing factor to the “downtrodden’s” plight, the PM said, is corruption, and explained why he took a hardened stance against the rampant practice. “The difference between developed and underdeveloped countries is corruption,” he said. “We have so much assets but we are still behind, and our institutions are in shambles — all because of corruption.
“I did not know the extent of theft and corruption until I came to power. Every day something new comes up.” Among the measures taken by the government in its first 100 days, the PM said, were:
Strengthened the FIA to curb money laundering, Signed agreements with 26 countries [to share information and recover assets], Created a task force to improve the situation of government hospitals, Recovered Rs350 billion worth of land as part of the anti-encroachment drive, Lodged FIRs against big wigs involved in power theft, Allotted land to build shelters for poor people in Rawalpindi and Lahore, The prime minister also elaborated some of his future plans, saying: “Four millions children will be provided nourishment in order to reduce stunted growth, whereas the Benazir Income Support Programme will be expanded.”
“Small farmers are left behind because they do not have the technology, knowledge and money,” he said. “We have to provide them the latest machinery and subsidies so they can purchase [latest] machinery.”
The premier said that Pakistan’s fisheries exports are “non-existent despite water resources”, adding that “a private party has done a pilot project through which shrimp farming can be done”. He also floated the idea of “caged fishing, especially in Balochistan” which he said has “so much potential; we can export as well”. Regarding the water crisis, PM Khan offered a “low-cost and quick” solution.
“Bhasha Dam will take time as it’s a huge project,” he said. “We found out that if we retain water in canals etc, it will conserve more water.” PM Khan labelled the “nationalisation of industries in the 1970s” a “wrong decision”, stressing the importance of the creation of wealth in growing economies.
“Investments cannot come until investors make money,” he explained. “People must be given a chance to make money as it leads to increased wealth.” The prime minister talked up Pakistan’s geographical location and population demographics, which he said make the country an attractive market for foreign investors. He urged the expansion of the tax net, explaining that low tax collection lead to inflation. “How is it that only 72,000 people show their income above Rs200,000?” he wondered.
PM Khan said that Pakistan’s tourism industry has great potential, adding that a task force has been formed to promote the country’s religious and ecological tourism. The prime minister gave an overview of the planned legal forms, for which he credited Law Minister Farogh Naseem.
As part of the reforms, he said, “civil courts will have to decide cases within a year and a half”.
“Legal aid authority will provide legal help to people who cannot afford to hire one,” he added. PM Khan said he “is aware that our salaried class is under pressure” due to inflation but assured that “I am doing whatever i can to [take you out of this problem].”
Senator Faisal Javed formally opened the event with a brief intro before making way for recitation of the Holy Quran. Minutes later, the senator reclaimed the rostrum before a video highlight of the Prime Minister Imran Khan and the federal government’s first 100 days in power was played for the audience.
