Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed the Punjab government to go after the ‘big fish’ involved in corruption first as due to them the deprived segments of the society have been facing hardships.
Chairing a briefing on the performance of the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab, the prime minister advised the officers to maintain their credibility and become a role model in this regard. He also asked them to ensure the rule of law which provides the basis for a civilised society.
Addressing the officers, the prime minister said in the prevailing circumstances, the professional duties being performed by them were a ‘jihad’. He said the Allah Almighty has bestowed the country with numerous resources but the corruption has inflicted an irreparable loss to it. The unprecedented corruption committed in the past has compelled the country to take loans, besides facing the economic crisis, he lamented. “Owing to corruption, Pakistan has been lagging behind other countries in the region and the future of its next generations is at stake,” he said, and directed the officers to perform their duties setting aside any fear or pressure. “In case of any difficulty, I will stand by you,” he asserted.
The prime minister said the elimination of corruption is the foremost priority of the government as it cannot go along with the journey of national development. He believed that corruption has not only inflicted irreparable loss to the national economy but also marred the national institutions besides adversely affecting the common man.
Meanwhile, addressing the inaugural ceremony of Electronic Cricket Score Board at the Aitchison College, Prime Minister Imran Khan said those who serve their nations are remembered by the history but the wealthy people doing nothing for humanity are always ignored. A person is known for his deeds not for his influence or wealth, he said.
The prime minister said Quaid-i-Azam would always be remembered for his ideology and services because he struggled for 40 years to achieve his goal (Pakistan). He said the Quaid-i-Azam had suffered from a fatal disease, but he did not disclose anything about it so that his struggle for creating Pakistan should not be affected. The nation, he said, will always remember those who served the people and the country.
The prime minister said the people, whose only objective was to make money, are now fleeing abroad. One of them has fled to London while the other one is trying to join him, he added, referring to the Sharif family.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday launched the first phase of Naya Pakistan Housing Project in the Punjab province.
Addressing the ground breaking ceremony in Renala Khurd, the prime minister said the construction of five million houses for the low-income segments of the society across the country is a difficult task. The government will, however, meet the challenge as necessary legislation is being made to provide loans to the people.
The prime minister, who earlier unveiled the plaque of the project, lauded both the Punjab chief minister and housing minister for swift implementation of the government’s housing policy. He said no society can progress without compassion towards the poor people. He cited the welfare mechanisms of the European and Scandinavian states, which, he said, are in fact pursuing the model introduced by the Holy Prophet (Peace Be upon Him) in the State of Madina, which guaranteed shelter, healthcare, justice, education and food to its citizens. He said what to talk of the humans, the Scandinavian states also ensure the protection of animal rights. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government, he said, is also striving to develop Pakistan as such a welfare state and the Naya Pakistan Housing Project is part of that process.
The prime minister said the government is in the process of making legislation to make the banks offer housing loan facility to the poor people. He said all of the five million houses will be built by the private sector and the government will just facilitate them. He said the educated youth has a great opportunity to form their construction companies that will also create job opportunities. Around 40 industries are directly linked with the housing sector, he added.
The prime minister said the government has decided to build flats to accommodate the slum dwellers, who are currently living in untidy conditions. For the purpose, the government will seek Chinese support to build pre-fabricated structures, which usually took around a week to raise a floor.