ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan made his first speech as Pakistan’sprime minister late Sunday. PM Khan addressed the nation for more than anhour, pledges to build an Islamic welfare state.

*Below is the complete text of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s address: *

First of all, I want to thank all my workers who started with me in thismovement and jihad 22 years ago. There are two types of politics one inwhich one would do his pursue his career, and the second, my role model,Qa’eda-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who conducted politics for a mission,that our prophet Hazrat Muhammad brought revolution in the world’s historyby creating state of Madinah. I never thought of this politics as a careerand profession. 22 years ago I joined politics with the mission to make mycountry, that way made as an Islamic welfare state envisioned by AllamaMuhammad Iqbal which have been showcased in the comity of nations that whatis real Islam.

I am remembering those colleagues, especially those two who started withme, Ahsan Rasheed, and Saloni Bukhari, they joined me in this mission atthe beginning and are no more in this world.I pay tributes to the workers,who walked with me even during difficult times, who were teased , peopleused to argue with them that which tonga party they are associated with.

Thanks to all these workers. Without all these people I could not reachhere today. First of all, I put it in front of my people that where westand today and what challenges we are facing as a nation. I will also givesolution of these challenges. In the history of Pakistan economicconditions were not as bad as are today.

*28,000 BILLION LOAN*

Presently, Pakistan is burdened with a loan of Rs 28000 billion, while 10years ago, the loan of Pakistan was Rs. 6 thousand billion, that our debtin the 60 years history. Rs. 6 thousand billion increased up to Rs 15,000billion in 2013. And today this loan has reached Rs 28,000 billion. Debt of60 years of domestic history is on one side and the last 10 years loan ison the other. InshaAllah, we will bring facts before you where that moneyhas gone. What have been done with that money? Secondly, today we areborrowing money to pay the interest n those loans.

In the last year of the previous PPP government foreign debt was $ 2billion, in the past one year, we are borrowing $ 2 billion each month andwhen the Pakistan People’s Party government ended in 2013 our foreign debtwent to 60 billion, which is $95 billion today and that is the real problemof our country that our overseas debt has increased so much and the mainreason for the highest pressure on rupees is that ours Foreign loans grewso fast and we have reached today that we are facing difficulty to returnback those loans. I will also come up with the solution as to how toresolve this issue. No need to be afraid of this situation.

*ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH*

The second thing I want to tell you is that there are so many loans on usand second I want to tell you that on the other hand there exists a societyaround us that spends on humans and now I want t ell you what is thecondition of human beings here and this is not ( juts being said by)ImranKhan, but it is a report of UNDP.

According to this report Pakistan is among those 5 countries in which mostof our children die before the age of 5 due to diseases caused bycontaminated water . Pakistan is also included in top 5 countries of theworld where rate of female mortality is very high.

Unfortunately, we are among the top 5 countries in the world where childrendie because of mal nutrition resulted in stunted growth. I have beentelling people till today, but people have not understood.

Today I show you a picture that shows a 2-year-old child on one side who isis getting nourishing food, and has normal mental healthl and on the otherhand, a child of 2 years has been shown with insufficient diet. His brainhas not been growing completely.

We are talking about 45 percent of Pakistan’s children, that is, almostevery other Pakistani child, suffers from this disease. I am worriedbecause we are not able to give them food completely and they are notgetting nutrition too, and thus they have left behind in the race of life.They can not compete.They can not move forward in the 21st century. Whatwere feelings of parents of those children I am telling you just to makeyou realize that where are we standing in this regard and how we willchange our way Insha Allah.

*‘WE HAVE TWO PATHS’*

The Prime Minister stated that there are two paths in front of us, onewhich we have been following and reached here, nation in debt, which has nomoney to spend on its children, to raise the standard of living of itspeople, to help its farmers, which cannot provide clean drinking water toits citizens even children.

We cannot give jobs, debts are on the rise, on the other hand is the pathof which I will tell you how to reach.

*LIFE STYLE OF THOSE IN POWER*

Another shameful thing for us is that on the one hand are these conditionsand on the other, is the life style of those in power.

He said Pakistan’s Prime Minister has 524 workers, 80 cars, of which 33 arebullet proof. The price of each is more than Rs.5 crore; helicopters,aeroplanes; the Prime Minister House is spread over 1100 canals, we haveGovernor Houses, Rest Houses, Chief Ministers’ Houses they have cars,Secretaries 100 have 2/3 cars. Our D.Cs, Commissioners reside in largeresidences.

On one hand is the nation in debt which cannot spend on its citizens and onthe other hand are those in power who live as the Britishers lived duringtheir rule. They, like our rulers, built huge Governor Houses. We were(their) slaves then, but now that we are free we continue to live in thesame manner.

We are not worried that we cannot meet the basic needs of our people, lookat our life style. Just consider that the Prime Minister spent 65 crores onhis foreign tours. Why do they go abroad? Where does this money go? Thebudget of Speaker National Assembly was 16 crores; what do they do? arethey going to conquer some country.

Today I am presenting all these things in front of you, because I want youto realize that if we continue thus, we are heading towards disaster. Allahalso says in the Quran that he does not change the condition of a nation ifit does not make an effort itself – We will have to change our thinking. Wewill have to invoke kindness in our hearts as half our population cannoteven get 2 times meals. We cannot feed 45% of Pakistan’s children. If we donot change our way of thinking what will become of our 2.5 billion out ofschool children. If our population continues to increase and we cannoteducate our children then obviously they will not be able to getlivelihood, if conditions remain so, who will solve the water issue.

*CLIMATE CHANGE*

We are faced with another problem that is environmental change. Pakistan is7th among countries affected by this phenomenon. I will again ask you tochange.

*ONE ROLE MODEL *

There is only one role model who we all Muslims follow and Allah in theQuran too asks us to learn from his life. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) unitedthe pagan Arabs Tribes who used to fight with each other – They had 2 superpowers on either side – Romans and Persians.

This great leader brought together these warring tribes and within the spanof few years transformed them into a great nation. What were thoseelements? I would like to share with you which ever nation follows thoseprinciples rises. These are the principles adopted by the West – rule oflaw, protects weak against the powerful – A civilization that adopts theseprinciples rises (among nations).

The Prophet said that he would punish even his daughter, if she broke thelaw. Hazrat Ali lost a case to a Jewish citizen, in the Court. This showsthat all are equal in the eyes of law and minorities have equal rights. ThePrime Minister mentioned Zakat – money paid according to position. Theconcept of progressive taxation is present even in the West – Norway,Sweden, Denmark. Provision of education to poor, justice are principleswhich were present in the State of Madina. Hazrat Umar one said that hewould be responsible even if a dog went to sleep hungry.

A leader should be Sadiq and Ameen. This is in America and Britian – TheAmerican President was ousted for lying. In Madina, all Khulfa were honestand trustful. They presented themselves for accountability. Once HazratUmar was asked about his clothes, which means that even rulers wereaccountable to public. When Hazrat Abu Bakr become Khalifa, he closed downhis clothes’ shop as he realized that his being in thatposition will bedisadvantageous for his counterparts.

Such laws are present in the West but have we can compare what those whocome to power had and what they have. These people come only to make money.But this is not so in the West. Those democracies which have progressed donot allow such practices i.e to mint money when in power. This was the lawin practice in the State of Madina, 1400 years ago. After war of Badr, theProphet gave emphasis on education.

When he said that every slave who would educate 10 salves would be setfree. Telling the world that without education nations cannot progress. Butlook at us, our 2.5 billion children are out of school. The West isspending a lot on education, the principles which were made 1400 years agoin Madina are in practice in the West but not by us. We are not followingany of the principles for which this country was made. It was notestablished for the reason that hindus were moneyed or now Muslims have alot, but it was the vision of Allama Iqbal who I consider to be thegreatest Muslim in 500 years, we will put into practice the principles onwhich the Prophet built his State.

*AUSTERITY* *DRIVE*

Let me show you what we will do now. I was told that I cannot becomeCaptain or a bowler, hospital cannot be made, and University cannot beestablished in private sector in rural area, there cannot be a third partyin the two-party system. I have been hearing this throughout my life, but Ihave learnt to fight such challenges. You all will be my team; I will fightagainst these things.

I will not live in PM house but in these two the 3 bedroom MilitarySecretary’s House. Will use 2 servants and 2 vehicles two on account ofsecurity considerations.

I had wanted to stay in my own house to cut government expenses but amgoing to reside here as there are threats to my life according to securityagencies We will auction the vehicles. Businessmen will be invited topurchase these expensive vehicles. The money will be deposited in thenational treasury. I plan to introduce simplicity in all Governor and ChiefMinister Houses.

We will reduce expenditure and inform public accordingly. No Governor willstay in Governor Houses. A Committee of has been formed to decide theirfate. I intend to convert Prime Minister House into a Research Universitywhere reputable scholars will be called.

A Task Force under guidance of Dr. Ishrat Hussain which will ensureausterity in every department.

*‘WE HAVE TO STAND ON OUR OWN FEET’*

I want to state that we have this habit of asking foreign countries forloans, wish any qualms. Our leaders ask for money from one or the other,IMF – No country can proper in this way.

Loans are for a short time. Germany and Japan after world war took loan fora particular time and eventually were able to stand on their own felt. Wehave to stand on our own feet. Things cannot continue like this anymore,besides others are not willing to provide loans.

I asked for money for Shaukat Khannum from my countrymen. It will beshameful for me and you if I ask some other country for money. A nationwhich has self respected is respected by others. Pakistanis are after madeto one while other nationals easily pass (through immigration at airports).

It is unfortunate. It is our own fault not others. He said it wasunfortunate that only 800,000 people of 200 million pay taxes and resolvedto revive the public trust in the Federal Board of Revenue to ensurespending of people’s tax money on their own.

The Prime Minister advised the people to pay taxes religiously as taxevaders did nothing but to hurt the country and burden the poor. Heannounced to constitute a high-powered task force to ensure therepatriation of money stashed abroad through money laundering or otherillegal means.

He quoted a US State Department’s report saying the black money worth Rs1,000 billion was transferred abroad annually from Pakistan. He urged themasses not to elect a leader running businesses abroad and questioned as tohow a person could be loyal to Pakistan and his people while having his owninterests in other countries.

PM announced that his government would take all-out measures to upliftnational industry to boost exports, besides facilitating the SME sector andinvestors through one-widow operations. He said he would direct theembassies to find out Pakistani expatriates languishing in jails abroad andreasons behind their imprisonment so that they could be helped out. Heurged the overseas Pakistanis to invest their money in Pakistan or depositin US dollar accounts as the country direly needed the same to address theimbalance of payment.

He also urged them to send their remittances through banks to help thecountry in the trying time. To cleanse the country of corruption, he saidthe National Accountability Bureau would be strengthened by extendingall-out assistance and funding. Moreover, the government would alsointroduce whistleblowers act across the country as it had done in KhyberPakhtunkhwa to award the informers of any embezzlement of public money.

The prime minister said he would keep the portfolio of Interior ministrywith him to deal with the issues of money laundering and those related tothe Federal Investigation Agency. He said following the crackdown by thegovernment, those involved in corrupt practices would make hue and cry, andpropaganda of imperiling the democracy.

“But you should stand by me. Either the country will survive or the corruptpeople,” he resolved.

*SPEEDY JUSTICE *

Imran said in order to reform the judicial system and ensure speedydisposal of civil cases within a year, the government would amend the lawand requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to hear the cases involvingwidows on priority. He said the government would also send lawyers’ teamsto prisons to know about the ordeals of poor prisoners as in some cases thepoor people languished in jails just for not affording to hire counsel.

*POLICE REFORMS*

The prime minister said his government was keen and committed to bringabout police reforms in other provinces with the help of respectiveprovincial governments just like the PTI-led government had introduced inKhyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the PTI registered triumph in the general election in KP due to thereason that its government had made the police force to function onprofessional lines.

He credited former inspector general of police Nasir Durrani for making thereforms feasible in the province. He said Durrani had agreed to accept anadvisory role for bringing about the much needed reforms in the Punjabpolice. The federal government would also work with the Sindh government inthat regard.

*STRICT ACTION OVER CHILD ABUSE CASES*

He stated with regret about the rise in the child-abuse cases and referredto the heinous incident in Kasur. He dropped a hint that his governmentwould take strict action over such cases while the Ministry of Human Rightswould focus on it.

*IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATION SECTOR*

About reforms in the education sector, Imran Khan said efforts would bemade to improve the education standards in the government schools where thesituation was not satisfactory.

He said he knew how salaried people managed to send their children toprivate institutions to get quality education with their meager resourcesand by doing dual jobs. Prime Minister Imran stressed that they would haveto raise standard of education in the government schools and deal with theissue of 22.5 million children out of school.

The proposal for running the dual shifts in the government schools was alsounder consideration, he added. He said the children studying in Madarisshould also get the quality education and should be afforded opportunitiesto excel in different fields of life.

*IMPROVE CONDITIONS OF GOVT HOSPITALS *

About his other priority, he said a task force would be formed to improvethe conditions in government-run hospitals. He acknowledged that in thegovernment hospitals, bringing about swift reforms was a difficult task,however, the government was determined to take drastic steps in otherprovinces as it had taken in the KP.

All the countrymen would be given the facility of Sehat Insaf Card in theshape of free medical services of up to Rs 500,000 at government andprivate health institutions like the one already introduced in the KP.

*AGRICULTURE* *AND **WATER ISSUE *

He noted that the country was facing the water scarcity issues, which wereimpacting the rural areas and the agriculture sector. He underscored theimportance of imparting proper and adequate knowledge to farmers about theuse of the latest agriculture technologies, so that their crop yield couldbe increased without burdening them financially.

He also highlighted the importance of agri-research, besides proper waterrationalizing by the famers’ community. The prime minister maintained thatthe construction of Bhasha Dam was must to face the emerging water relatedproblems. He also lauded the Chief Justice of Pakistan for taking theinitiative in that regard.

The government, he said, would support all efforts to collect funds for theconstruction of dam with the help of expatriates.

*MERIT POLICY *

Regarding the role of civil servants in running the government affairs andaccomplishment of its policies, the prime minister hinted that he wouldre-introduce the merit policy. He regretted that the politicalinterferences and lack of merit policy had impinged upon the functioning ofthe civil service, which was once regarded as the backbone of the country.

The civil service required reformation, he said and assured that therewould be no interference from the PTI government. The honest and dedicatedpeople would be accorded due respect and protection no matter whatsoeverthey had the political affiliations, he added.

*PUBLIC* *SERVICE*

The prime minister reiterated that ordinary man should be treated equallyin the society and given the due rights. He referred to Right to PublicService Act of KP, where bonuses were announced for the departments whodelivered on time whereas the others, who failed to achieve the targets,were penalized.

*LOCAL GOVERNMENT SYSTEM *

PM Imran said the local government system introduced in the KP hadtransferred powers to the grassroots level and the same would now be wouldbe strengthened across the country.

He said plans were afoot in which the district nazims would be electeddirectly, so that there should be checks and balances. Giving an example ofthe Punjab province, he said in the past, all resources were accumulated inoffice of chief minister, and the MNAs and MPAs were given the developmentfunds.

*JOB OPPORTUNITIES *

The prime minister also unveiled his plans to construct five million lowcost housing units which would create immense job opportunities for theyouth as at least 50 industries would be directly benefitted from suchinvestment.

He said energies would be devoted on skill development of the youth,besides, provision of interest free loans so that they could set up theirpersonal businesses.

*RECREATION* *AND **SPORTS ACTIVITIES *

About the role of games in the lives of youth, the prime minister saidsports facilities with proper playgrounds would be constructed for theyouth across the country.

For the families’ recreation, parks with all facilities would be provided.

*ENVIRONMENTAL* *CHALLENGES *

The prime minister also noted with concern the issue of global warmingwhich was affecting the country. The government would kick-start a massivetree plantation campaign all over the country to turn Pakistan green, andin that campaign, the youth would be involved.

He also enumerated the environmental challenges posed by air and waterpollution. He mentioned Karachi and Lahore which were affected with airpollution, besides facing the recurring issue of garbage dunes.

He said campaigns would be launched to clean sea and environment which wasone of his major targets. The prime minister expressed the confidence thatafter five years, there would be a different Pakistan.

*TOURISM SECTOR *

He said Pakistan was bestowed with huge tourism potential as he was oneamong few Pakistanis who had toured the country thoroughly. He announcedthat every year, four new tourist resorts would be opened to promotetourism industry.

He especially mentioned the tourism potential of sea beaches and saidKarachi and Gwadar beaches would be developed.

*DEVELOPMENT OF NEGLECTED AREAS *

The prime minister said the government would fast track the merger oftribal areas with the KP to improve the living conditions in those areaswhich were hard hit by the militancy and terrorism in the past.

He said the local government elections would be arranged in those areasthough it was not an easy task but there was no other way.

He also emphasized to develop the Balochistan province by bringing back allthe estranged elements in the mainstream of life.

About the South Punjab province, he said it should be created. He alsolinked the country’s progress with the economic activities in Karachi andsaid for maintaining law and order there, the police reforms would beintroduced with the support of the provincial government.

The prime minister said the 20-point National Action Plan as agreed upon byall the political parties would be fully implemented. There would be nonational progress without peace and tranquility, he added. The primeminister maintained they would strive to improve relations with all theneighbouring countries.

*‘A REAL WELFARE STATE’*

He said it was his vision to make Pakistan ‘a real welfare state’ with fullattention paid to pathetic conditions of street children, widows and thehandicapped. Imran Khan said they had to differentiate between the humansociety and the life led by animals.

It was the human compassion, pity and sympathy which made it distinct fromthe animal world, he added. The prime minister laid stress upon emulatingthe principles as laid down by Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in thecreation of Madina state.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) paid full attention to lift the conditions of hispeople, he added.

The prime minister resolved to lead a simple life marked with austerity andto fully safeguard the public money. He said he would not do any businesswhile in office and called upon the people to identify and discourage thosewho stole away the public money.

He said the elements, who stashed away the public money, were also hisenemies though he had no personal grudge against them. It was theircollective responsibility to halt such elements, he said and referred toefficacy of the social media in that regard. The prime minister said theyhad to save the country by giving it a top priority.

*‘PRIME MINISTER’S VISION’*

He said it was his vision that one day would dawn upon the country whenthere would be no person to avail the Zakat money and it would be in aposition to lend financial support to other deserving countries.