Staff Reporter
Islamabad
A number of key members of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet held a joint press conference on Tuesday to reveal what the PTI government achieved during the last two years of its governance.
The leaders comprised Information Minister Shibli Faraz, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar, Minister for Industries Hammad Azhar, Adviser to the PM on Finance Dr. Hafeez Shaikh and Special Assistan to the PM on Poverty Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar.
Information Minister Shibli Faraz said the objective of the ruling PTI’s politics was to bring about a welfare state. “Our objective is to make a state where public service should be the first and foremost priority.”
He said the government’s policies revolve around the welfare of the have-nots and labourers, adding people rejected those who preferred their personal interest over those of public by turning politics into a profession.
“We have to fight challenges on both external and internal front as everyone is oblivious to the fifth gen
eration warfare,” he maintained, warning our enemy wants to inflict damage on Pakistan and its economy in every way.
“The first two years of the PTI government were difficult but now good days have begun,” Shibli Faraz said.
Senator Shibli Faraz said accountability, justice, merit and progress of the underprivileged class is PM Imran Khan’s vision. The enemies want to harm us in every possible manner, spread hopelessness and chaos in the country but our struggle will succeed us, the minister said.
“The role of information ministry is important in highlighting the government’s performance. One purpose of politics is to create a welfare state; however, its other agenda is to protect personal interests.
“The premier wants to take the country towards progress. PTI differentiated between right and wrong politics under the leadership of Imran Khan. Politics had been made a profession and public has rejected it.”
Highlighting achievements on the diplomatic front, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the PTI government routed Indian plans to isolate Pakistan globally, directing its focus and energy on the Kashmir dispute.
He recalled how Prime Minister Imran Khan highlighted the issue of India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in his first speech to the nation after winning the general elections. “It was because of our effective policy of the last two years that the Kashmir dispute has now been internationalised today.”
FM Qureshi said the UN Security Council held debates on the outstanding dispute for three times in a year. Prime Minister Imran Khan in his address to the UN General Assembly and other international forums vigorously raised the dispute, he added.
Pakistan played its part in intra-Afghan talks which are about to commence, he said, adding Pakistan witnessed a shift in its narrative over the last two years of the PTI government as it is now being viewed as a partner in peace.
“We gave the concept of economic diplomacy to enhance our economic presence,” Shah Mahmood said. “We have also reinvigorated our ties with friendly countries as ties with China transformed into a strong economic partnership.”
Qureshi recalled that the prime minister’s global debt relief initiative for developing countries was acknowledged by the world.
Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar said the government ensured availability of all essential commodities despite the coronavirus crisis and reopened industries in phases after Covid-19 lockdown, rolling out a stimulus package of its kind for the construction industry to boost construction activities, which yielded results in the form of an upturn in the construction sector.
He pointed out that the government cut down on smuggling of mobile phones into the country with the help of technology, brought in electric vehicle and mobile manufacturing policies, and made significant progress towards implementation of FATF action plan. He added Pakistan will soon be able to export mobile phones.
Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said Pakistan is being counted amongst a few countries that have successfully dealt with Covid-19. Pakistan’s Covid-19 situation is far better than other regional countries, he added. He said the government proved it is competent and has the will to tackle challenges.
Umar said the bad news for the opposition is that the skipper has settled on the crease now and is ready to play a long innings.
The premier will not give NRO to anyone and his government proved that it takes all on same page for the national interests.
Asad Umar said, “Allegations of incompetence are leveled on the incumbent regime, it is said that Imran Khan does not work together with others. It is true that Imran Khan will not collaborate with anyone to give them NRO. He has become the prime minister after 22 years of struggle and is determined to serve the country for a long term.
“Coronavirus was the biggest challenge of this century which proved to be a disaster for health as well as economy. Bill Gates also praised Pakistan’s steps against the pandemic and also compared it with India. Pakistan’s strategy against Covid-19 was appreciated by the world.
Taking over the press conference, Dr Sania Nishtar gave a detailed briefing on the Ehsaas programme and its components.
Dr Nishtar said the programme, which launched fifteen months ago, is the country’s biggest-ever social safety net. “Ehsaas programme will be further expanded and its access to the masses will be ensured,” she said, adding that a separate programme is being launched in the next fifteen days in all districts of Pakistan under which the children of deserving families will be given scholarships.
