ATTOCK: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that people remember only their well-wishers and those who work for removing their grievances. Addressing a public rally in Attock on Monday, Imran said that among the politicians a few come into politics to serve the countrymen and a majority consisted of those struggling for the sake of personal interests, but people hate such individuals. He was of the view that people remember the ones who worked for them, therefore, only those would join his party who would serve the people. The PTI chairman said they would induct only those in their cabinet who would think of the nation. “Nawaz and Zardari bat for themselves, they never played for the country. Where did they stand before they rose to power?” he asked. “Where did they get all this money from? This is your money.” Imran also criticised Ahsan Iqbal for “innocently admitting that corruption exists all over the world”. Taking exception to Nawaz Sharif, he said the former prime minister says people would hold him accountable, and added, “A doctor is supposed to treat his patients, judge to deliver justice and people to only cast vote.” “The people of Pakistan will not allow looting of their money from now on. Nawaz says the country’s progress will be hindered if corruption is prevented,” the PTI chairman said, questioning how would the country flourish if someone plundered its wealth after coming into power. Lamenting high taxes in the country, he said, “There is 35 percent tax on phone and petrol, and 50 percent on diesel. Back in 2008, when Zardari and Nawaz came into power, so much could be purchased for a thousand rupees, and now see what you can purchase for the same amount.” Imran also blasted the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz for making a “silly legislation to make a criminal its president.” He urged the masses to take to the streets with him if the PML-N made a law aimed at weakening the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). “We have to make the country stand on its own; we are not to bow before anyone or ask for loans,” the PTI chief said. “The one who lends you money takes your freedom in return.” He said Iran initiated the gas pipeline project and Pakistan would have gotten LNG on cheaper rates, had the government availed the offer. “But the ones who provided us loans did not allow us to take gas from Iran.” He vowed that his party, if it rose to power, would design a policy to rid 100 million downtrodden Pakistanis of poverty. Imran assured the people that the foreign policy in the ‘new Pakistan’ would be made in the best interest of the nation, adding that a country in debt could not be free to make policies for external affairs. He said that the PTI would not come under external pressure. He promised to improve the situation of environment in the country by growing trees like in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He outlined the priorities of the PTI if the party comes to power in the next election. The PTI chief talked about rising poverty, unemployment and insufficient facilities at public hospitals. “In the Western world, the weak are employed by suitable policies … Pakistan has 100 million people under the poverty line,” he said, stressing that only the rich thrive in existing policies. He demanded the supporters to protest against corrupt politicians, including the Sharif family, to save the future of the country. “Our judiciary has stood up and gave verdict on merit … the Pakistan Army’s two officials in (Panama case) JIT on merit,” he added. He asked for support if the ruling party kept criticising the institution and the anti-graft body NAB was weakened by reforming laws. Published in Daily Times, November 7th 2017.