ISLAMABAD: With securing a lead in 120 national assembly seats by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) in the general elections 2018, the signs of change are in the offing as Imran Khan, the PTI Chairman during his maiden speech promised to focus major issues to purge the corrupt political system in the country.
Mr Khan, who appeared for 20 minutes before a battery of TV channels, at his Bani Gala residence in the Federal Capital after less than 24 hours of close of national pools in the country has promised to change the VIP and lavish Culture of political elite into a welfare-oriented governance model to alleviate the poverty, establish the rule of law, making the uniform accountability a key pillar of the governance , creating jobs through tangible steps to attract foreign investments and forming a foreign policy to serve and secure the goals at international arena.
He hinted at not using the Prime Minister House in Islamabad which he said will be used for a campus for an educational institution. He promised to control the public spending on the ruling class by adopting a simple way of life and focusing more enhancing the tax base. We can’t enhance the tax base unless the people see the benefits of paying a tax, says Imran.
The PTI Chairman who is likely to form the next Government of Pakistan spelled out the cornerstones of his foreign policy with a key focus on mutually beneficial bilateral ties with neighbouring countries starting with peace in Afghanistan which according to him will serve as first step towards stability in both countries. Peace in Afghanistan will ensure peace in Pakistan also improving ties with Iran, the Kingdom of Saudi of Arabia and greater peace in the Middle East, says Imran, hoping to bolster Pakistan’s role as mediator across the region by working different countries to seek a peaceful solution to the outstanding issues within the region.
The ties with the United States, he adds, will also be reviewed and will be built on equal footing and coming objective of exploring the possibilities to find durable peace in Afghanistan. The people of Afghanistan have had suffered a lot and now the time has come to seek a better and peaceful country for Afghans.
Mr Khan applauded the ties with a great friend of Pakistan, China which he said always been great inspiration for him and showed keenness to learn from Chinese model of the poverty alleviation which passed on benefits to 700 million people in China through economic empowerment. He also hinted at one of the ongoing key projects China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said such projects will attract investments and help in creating new jobs.
Coming back to fight corruption he said Chinese efforts were notable which has had brought the corruption under control and keeping the good governance intact and Pakistan would be keen to learn about this model.
Imran Khan offered talks with India on all major issues including Kashmir, adding that military force can never achieve solutions but talks between the neighbours can help resolve the issues. We can’t address the core issues such as poverty alleviation unless we settle the burning issues such as Kashmir between the two sides. Pakistan and India should explore the possibilities of opening up new avenues in aiming to pass on the benefits to millions living below the poverty line in both countries.
Mr Khan who has been advocating for holding fair and free elections in the country termed the 2018 polls one of the most transparent in the country’s history and offered an investigation into the allegations of rigging on any seat of the assemblies.