ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has left a strong message for theAmerican leadership over dealing with Pakistan.
He has vowed on Friday that his government would not to accept any unjustdemand by the United States.The prime minister said this during his meeting with TV anchors, which alsohad Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Information Minister FawadChaudhry in presence.
Khan welcomed criticism of his government telling talk show hosts thatcriticism does not puzzle him, it rather helps resolving issues.
He noted that Pakistan’s circular debts had reached Rs1200 billion,maintaining that the country could not progress without accountability.The prime minister said he had directed National Accountability Bureauchief to carry out indiscriminate accountability and take action even if amember of the government was also involved in corruption.
During the meeting, he openly supported Usman Buzdar saying that the Punjabchief minister should be given three months’ time, after which the mediashould criticise him for his performance.Commenting on his use of helicopter, Khan said he has been using it to savepeople from mobility issues.
Regarding his team, he said that he was not responsible for the past ofindividuals he had inducted in his team. “They have been conveyed that anyirregularities would not be tolerated now.”The prime minister said that none of his cabinet members was appointedpermanently and could be shuffled on the basis of performance. Aboutforeign tours, he said these were not his priority.
Speaking with regard to Pakistan-US ties, he said his government would notaccept any unjust demand by the United States.Khan said they could not fight the US, but they will improve their tieswith Washington. He added that Pakistan seeks peaceful relations withIndia, Afghanistan and Iran.
Regarding his visit to the General Headquarters, he said the visit wentwell and it was conveyed that the government had backing from theinstitution.The prime minister further vowed that his government would cancel theagreements made against national interest.He added that if any member of the government is suspected of anyindiscretion, they should also be held accountable.
The prime minister also pointed out that Pakistan’s circular debts standsat Rs1.2 trillion and that progress would not be possible withoutacross-the-board accountability. In the meeting Imran Khan said, “You arefree to criticize, I am not scared of it. Criticism helps address theissues.”