Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday dismissed the reports regarding imposition of presidential system in the country, saying that no thought has been put into any such idea.
In an interaction with senior journalists here at the PM Office, the prime minister indicated that the cabinet will see another reshuffle in the days to come and only those who perform will remain while the rest will be sent packing. He said that former finance minister Asad Umar is a ‘precious asset’ of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and that he will soon rejoin the cabinet. When asked about non-elected members being a part of the federal cabinet, the prime minister said, “I have to deliver performance. It does not matter if someone is elected or not. I am including people with experience … wherever I find good people, I will appoint them.”
Imran Khan reminded the journalists present that he will not back down from seeking accountability even if it costs him his job, adding that the opposition is only exerting pressure in the parliament in order to seek a pardon under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). “But let me tell you, not one of them will get an NRO,” he asserted.
Speaking about the recent decision taken by Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif to step down as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman, Prime Minister Imran said that the PML-N president had only been using the position for ‘political gains’.
The prime minister lamented that in the past meritocracy was ripped to shreds. “Even judges used to be cursed and ridiculed in the past, whereas now the judiciary and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) see no interference of any kind,” he said.
The prime minister also briefed the media representatives regarding measures taken by the government for introducing new legislation for the benefit of the people.
Among the bills introduced in the National Assembly are Legal and Justice Authority Bill 2019, Whistleblower Protection and Vigilance Commission Bill 2019, Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2019, Letters of Administration and Succession Certificates Bill 2019, Enforcement of Women’s Property Right Bill 2019 and Muslim Family Law (Amendment) Bill 2019.
The prime minister urged media to support the government to get the said remarkable bills sail through the parliament as it was the first step towards the reformation of the system. Asked as to how the government will get the bills passed from Senate where they lack required majority, he said the government is going to play its role for public welfare and desires a positive behaviour from the opposition. “I want to see as to how the opposition will oppose these bills. They used the parliament merely to pressure us and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB),” he remarked.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Law Barrister Firough Nasim, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Naeemul Haq and Yousuf Baig Mirza, and Advisor to the PM Shahzad Arbab were also present.