Lahore: On Saturday night, PTI’s Jalsa at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan featured former prime minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan’s economic plan.
Imran Khan during his speech, stressed that tough decisions needed to improve governance and exports.
Khan noted that Pakistan doesn’t collect enough taxes, causing a dollar outflow greater than the inflow. Exports enhance monetary influx, he noted. To achieve economic success, he advocated a government overhaul.
The deposed premier said Pakistan needed a “surgery” to get its house in order and that abroad Pakistanis would invest in the country. He recommended VIP exporter designation and incentivizing foreign Pakistanis to invest.
The PTI chief touted his party’s IT and tourism growth and agriculture productivity gains. He recommended overhauling all government enterprises, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Khan claims 2.5 million of 220 million Pakistanis pay taxes. PTI collected record taxes during its time, emphasising the need to broaden the tax base to advance. Khan also claimed his party would reintroduce health cards, which the present administration stopped.
Khan recommended offering young people money to establish enterprises and restarting Pakistan’s first mortgage scheme, which the PTI government introduced.
The former prime minister said the PTI targets poor people with rations, a programme Sania Nishtar started.
Imran began his address by announcing a plan to solve the nation’s problems.
“One thing is clear, whoever is in power, they get a message today that people’s passion cannot be curbed via hurdles and containers”. He added, adding that over 2,000 PTI workers imprisoned to erect impediments for today’s march.
Mr. Khan asked, did our predecessors sacrifice for this Pakistan?
He stated a level playing field implies giving everyone an equal chance, not tying Imran Khan’s hands and giving others all the facilities.
“I’ve finished 100 cases, maybe 150. I have 40 terrorism charges. In our country, poor battle false cases all their lives “he added.
In Sindh, one cannot challenge the powerful. “They call it Zardari system.”
Rule of law will bring “real freedom,” Imran remarked.
Criticism on Government
Imran said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was begging around the world but getting no relief.
“[General (retd)] Bajwa says he used to scold him (Shehbaz) for 40 minutes and he used to listen without uttering a word,” he claimed. “This is what happens when you come to power through backdoor”.
Imran Khan says 2,000 PTI workers arrested before this gathering. “Dr Rubina was in her clinic when they picked her from there,” he continued.
He added PDM staged three long marches under PTI’s rule but we didn’t stop them. I promised to arrange their tea.
Moreover, He said PTI got permission for a March 8 gathering at Zaman Park to start its election campaign. “Then police began baton-charging and [tear gas] shelling. They desired anarchy. I cancelled the protest to avoid bloodshed.”
Imran Khan stated Zille Shah had 26 torture marks and was thrown away on the road. “His killer? Notwithstanding my feelings, they should be punished legally.”
Despite court bail, police arrested him on March 14 with an arrest warrant.
“I told them bail. Police wanted to transport me to Islamabad. I swore to appear before Islamabad court. My surety bond rejected. Three sides attacked my residence. Pellets and tear gas shells. I experienced Palestine and Kashmir for the first time.”
He added many supported him during the clash because they understood Imran Khan was right. “Would people accept Imran Khan’s terrorism? 40 years of knowing me.”
“Zardari, who begged his army to save him in memogate, now runs the country. Dawn reveals Sharif’s decisions. They made Pakistani Imran Khan a traitor.”
Imran stated the Election Commission of Pakistan delayed Punjab Assembly elections despite Supreme Court instructions. “How can ECP delay elections until October? Since the country is defaulting, what will you get by October? “he continued.
Lastly, The former prime minister claimed their goal is to prevent Imran Khan from winning the election.
