Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said the government has got nothing to do with the recent arrest of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Rana Sanaullah as the government doesn’t believe in political victimisation.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf doesn’t hold the vision of political victimisation,” the prime minister said while chairing a session of party spokespersons, where political situation after the arrests of opposition figures was discussed. He said the institutions and judiciary are independent and those who have been arrested should give their clarifications before the court. “Opposition wants to hide its crimes by putting allegations against the government,” he said.
The prime minister said the government has given ample opportunity to declare assets through the assets declaration scheme and that now it will take legal action without any bias.
Later, the prime minister told a meeting that the basic purpose of bringing reforms is to accelerate economic growth, improve revenue system and restore confidence of the business community.
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Minister for Planning Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Advisor on Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor on Trade Abdur Razak Dawood, Punjab Revenue Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht, Punjab Minister for Industries Mian Aslam and Federal Bureau of Revenue Chairman Shabbar Zaidi attended the meeting.
The meeting was briefed about the industrial agriculture sector, promotion of tourism, setting up of special economic zones and the steps taken for resolving problems of the business community in Punjab.
The prime minister said the government presented a balanced budget despite difficult economic situation by giving full attention to promotion of the industrial sector and protecting the poor segment of society. Keeping in view the economic situation, the prime minister said the government took tough decisions to put the economy on the right path and steer the country out of the economic crisis.
He said the government is fully aware of the reservations of the business community. The process of bringing reforms in the FBR is going on to restore the confidence of business community besides making all segments of the society partners in the process of economic development, he added.
The prime minister directed the FBR chairman and the economic team to meet various associations of the business community and inform them about the economic reforms, including the tax system.
Later, a delegation of bishops led by Member National Assembly Jamshed Thomas called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and presented him a cheque worth Rs 5.6 million for the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the PM’s Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund.
The delegation comprising President of Pakistan Catholic Bishops Archbishop Joseph Arshad, Archbishop of Lahore Sebastian Francis Shaw, Bishop of Multan Benny Travas, Bishop-elect of Faisalabad Inderias Rehmat and John Phillip submitted the cheque on behalf of Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference.
The prime minister expressed commitment of the government to make every possible effort for addressing the issues of the minority communities. The issues concerning the Christian community came under discussion.
The donation is a contribution from seven Catholic Dioceses in Pakistan including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Hyderabad and Quetta.
Governor of Sindh Imran Ismail also called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and briefed him about the ongoing development projects in Karachi, including the K-4 water supply project. The prime minister accepted the invitation extended by the Sindh governor to visit Karachi on July 11, a PM Office press release said. During the visit, the prime minister, along with his economic team, will meet the business community.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mehmood Hayat Thursday called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at the PM Office. During the meeting, they discussed the professional matters pertaining to the armed forces of Pakistan, a PM Office statement said.
