–Imran accuses opposition of using democracy to hide corruption
As rumours regarding presidential system make rounds in media, the prime minister allayed these reservations, saying there was no such system in the offing and that the government hasn’t even though of imposing the presidential system in the country.
Weeks after former finance minister Asad Umar was asked to step down, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday expressed hope that the former will rejoin the federal cabinet.
During a meeting with senior journalists, the premier said the finance minister will be a part of the federal cabinet again.
It may be mentioned here that Asad Umar refused the portfolio of the energy ministry after he was sacked from the finance ministry.
Imran, who has mentioned on multiple occasions that changing ministers is just like changing batter orders, said that the govt will make use of all suitable individuals for the good of the country.
The prime minister said that he doesn’t have enough experts, so he was using technocrats for the job. He was apparently responding to the criticism raised by the opposition on the inclusion of the technocrats into his government.
“In the absence of experts, we are assigning technocrats,” the premier said, adding that he has to show the performance of his government.
Imran, who came into power on his promises to eradicate corruption, said that government won’t give an NRO [national reconciliation ordinance] to anyone and he won’t let the opposition parties get away with their corrupt practices, using democracy as an excuse.
Reiterating his resolve, the prime minister said he does not care about his premiership but will not sign another national reconciliation ordinance (NRO).
“In 2016, Chaudhry Nisar stated Bilawal Bhutto and Ayyan Ali’s bills were being paid by the same accounts. Are these cases made up by me,” asked the prime minister while referring to the ongoing accountability process in the country.
He also shared the details of legislation with the government. He said the government was bringing forth seven bills for the welfare of the public. “If opposition stands with us to pass these bills, it will be a good thing,” he added.
There was a hue and cry after Imran Khan came to power. It was being claimed that the military supported him to seize power. A commission was also formed to probe the alleged rigging. However, there has been headway in this regard.
“I was asked to make an inquiry commission for alleged election rigging and I did that, but the opposition did not even show up for the making of the commission.”
PM Imran further claimed that he felt ashamed to sit in the National Assembly because of the unsavoury language used by the opposition. “I am unable to comprehend what happens in parliament. For eight months, there has only been conflict there.”
Though the premier has made these comments, but according to a report— in January – in a local media outlet the prime minister himself has attended only six out of 34 National Assembly sittings, meaning thereby that he has to date been part of only 17.65 per cent sessions.
