ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan says the devaluation of rupeeoccurred due to current account deficit of 19.5 billion dollars the PTIgovernment inherited.

Speaking in National Assembly this afternoon, he said the biggest reason ofshortage of dollars in the country is money laundering which was used byprevious ruling elite.

He said when ruling elite engages in practice of money laundering, it isnot in a strong moral position to stop other people of doing so.

He said fake accounts were also used for siphoning of money to take itabroad. The Prime Minister regretted that Public Accounts Committee wasbeing chaired by a person who had allegations of corruption.

Imran Khan said in Western countries, it is parliament’s job to protect theinterests of people. He said in Pakistan those people are making speechesthat are facing allegations of stealing public money. He said Shariffamily made corruption through Hudabiya Paper Mills and Hill Metals. ImranKhan said we have to balance our current account deficit.

Imran Khan said today those people are talking of selection, who werethemselves manufactured in the nurseries of dictatorships. He questionedhow those people can talk of corruption, who are themselves tainted withcorruption.

The Prime Minister said when the government came into power, all publicinstitutions were facing record losses.

Imran Khan said it is heartening to note that 30 percent reduction has beenmade in this account. The Prime Minister warned that there will be acomplete crackdown on money laundering. He said remittances of overseasPakistanis are increasing through legal channels. He said all outfacilities are being provided to lure the foreign investment into thecountry. The Prime Minister from next week, new schemes will startlaunching. He said imports have also been reduced and more work is beingdone in this regard.

The Prime Minister said all measures are being taken to protect the poorclasses from the burden of inflation and it is passed on to those segmentsof society only who can afford it.

Imran Khan said the subsidy of 217 billion rupees has been given to protectthe 75 percent consumers of electricity.

He said industrialization is key to national development and we will makeall out efforts to reinvigorate the industry.

The Prime Minister congratulated his team and party members for activelyparticipating in the budget session. Imran Khan also appreciated the roleof PTI allies in standing united with the ruling party.