Prime Minister Imran Khan yesterday said Pakistan will not need to import oil after reserves are found near Karachi’s seas.
Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, the premier said, “We are hopeful of finding large reserves of gas and oil in the sea near Karachi. The nation should pray for this and I will soon share good news regarding this.”
“God willing the reserves will be so large that we will not need to import any oil,” he shared.
Taking a hit at the opposition, the prime minister said, “If the opposition wants to create a hue and cry, we are ready to provide them with containers to protest at D-Chowk. The opposition is joining hands to hide personal theft.”
“No blackmailing will work and nor will anyone be given the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO),” the premier
reiterated.
“I presented a 40-year-old money trail in court,” he said while adding that opposition leaders make faces when he
enters parliament.
“A minute in Parliament costs the country Rs80,000 and all the opposition does on the floor is cry,” he stated. “The opposition is not thinking about the nation at all. Other than talking about hiding corruption, opposition leaders do not raise any other issues on the floor of the House.”
“In the past, Pakistan People’s Party laundered billions of dollars through fake bank accounts. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is crying foul because he fears the National Accountability
Bureau (NAB),” he added.
The premier added, “Ayyan Ali and Bilawal’s tickets were bought through the same fake bank accounts.”
“Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s experienced government left a debt of Rs30,000bn,” he stated.
PM Imran further clarified, “NAB is neither under us nor did we recruit anyone in the
accountability watchdog.”
“Corruption will be curbed when big people are caught. Cases against those ‘parties saving democracy’ were not filed during our government. There is a loss of Rs12bn in the Metro Bus project,” he added.
The premier further said that if there are “different laws for the strong and the weak then the society will be weak”.
Speaking about former premier Nawaz Sharif’s medical treatment, the premier stated, “The government is providing him with all facilities and he can seek treatment wherever he wishes within the country. Despite being in power for 30 years, Nawaz could not build a hospital where he can be treated.”
“Nawaz made 30 factories from one factory but could not make a hospital,” he added. “There is no such law to send Nawaz abroad for medical treatment,” he asserted.
“Should we also send the other 150,000 prisoners abroad for treatment?” he asked.
PM Imran further said, “Our foreign policy is better than in the last 30 years. America, which used to say ‘do more’, is now praising us.”
“We received a message from US President Donald Trump, however, there has been no progress on it,” he said.
“The results of our foreign policy are now showing. The US understands that Pakistan has an important role to play in the Afghan peace process,” he added.
The premier further announced that a collective programme is being launched from March 27 for the elimination of poverty.
Stating that the government wants to reduce the current account deficit, the premier said, “I expect the nation to support me. China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and UAE are investing in Pakistan.”
On the increase in gas prices, the premier said, “The hike in tariffs is owing to a short fall of gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). We buy 1,400 cubic feet of gas and sell it for Rs650.”
“The reason for the energy crisis lies in faulty transmission lines. In previous eras, no work was done on transmission lines,” the premier lamented.
PM Imran stated that there will be ups and downs before big changes take place in the country.
“All expenses of Bani Gala are paid for through my own pocket,” he shared. “I paid Rs6 million myself to install security fences at Bani Gala,” he added.
“I sold a gift to construct the road that leads to my Bani Gala resident,” he further said. “I am also constructing the Zaman Park house through my own
personal money.”
The premier further said that the sports board system is being completely changed and a task force has been formed. “The sports board had become a recruitment centre,” he stated.
“We are also bringing changes in the system of the cricket board. We will give preference to regional cricket,” PM
Imran shared.
The premier stated, “I have full faith in the chief ministers of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Usman Buzdar and Mehmood Khan, respectively. Give both the chief ministers some time and you will see the results yourself.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan
