PTI only party to go against corruption, says PM Imran Khan on 25th foundation day

• PM Imran Khan says PTI's creation was based on the concept of Insaf (justice) because, without that, corruption cannot be eliminated.
• Says his sole purpose of joining politics 25 years ago was to see a corruption-free Pakistan. 
• Lauds PTI govt's achievements over last 2.5 years; says no other govt could do what PTI did for country's betterment.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday lauded his party and said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is the only political entity in the country's history to launch a campaign against corruption. 

The premier was speaking via a video link on the occasion of PTI's 25th Youm-e-Tasees (foundation day) and said that more than two decades ago, he formed the party in view of the fact that corruption was damaging the country. 

"I had studied political science in the university and had played professional cricket in Britain, therefore, I had realised it early on that nations don't move towards destruction due to a lack of resources or because of bombings or war," he said. 

"It is corruption which pushes a country towards decline."

The premier said that when people in power resort to corrupt practices, then a nation is destined to face a decline. He said that twenty-five years ago, he and his friends named the party after the concept of Insaf (justice) because, without justice, corruption cannot be eliminated.

"This was the reason why a person like me — who was not only famous but had been bestowed with everything in life — decided to join politics [in a bid to make a change]."

Speaking about the political journey of the PTI, he said that many people joined his party and left but he never gave up despite all odds.

"I learned not to accept a defeat from cricket," he said. "A man only achieves success in life when he continues to move forward without looking back."

He went on to say that his struggle was also inspired by the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who spent 13 years of hardship to work towards the cause of Allah. 

"After a long struggle, the PTI held a jalsa at the Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore on October 30, 2011, which marked the political rise of the party," the PM recalled. 

He then talked about the 2013 elections and his 26-day dharna against alleged rigging in the elections to send the message across. 

"Unfortunately, no action regarding electoral reforms was taken despite our continued protest," he said. "Since then, we had been determined to introduce a transparent electoral system and my government will now introduce electronic voting machines for the purpose."

Prime Minister Imran Khan then talked about the PTI government after taking over the country in 2018 and said that the period marked the most difficult struggle of his life.

"No other party had to form a government at a time when the country was going through its worst crisis," he said, adding that the economy was declining, there were unprecedented debts because of the previous two governments, foreign exchange reserves were empty, and most importantly, the current account deficit of the country stood at $20 billion.

"I am proud of the PTI government's achievements over the last 2.5 years," he said while giving details of the improvements Pakistan made on several fronts.

"The construction sector in Pakistan is developing at a rapid pace, while we are also making progress in the agricultural sector, large-scale manufacturing industries, and car sales, among others," Prime Minister Imran Khan said. 

Speaking about the future course of action and wealth creation to further develop the country, PM Khan said that the government is creating a new city in Sindh and a central business district in Lahore which will add billions to the national exchequer. 

The PM also shed light on several other initiatives of the PTI government, including the construction of dams and the launch of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project to tackle climate change.

"The PTI has taken steps to make Pakistan a welfare state — a move which no other government had taken before. These steps include the issuance of health cards in two provinces, the construction of a panah gah (shelter home), and housing loans for the poor," he said.

"Most importantly, the PTI government is fighting for the supremacy of law in the country, which is a battle for the soul of Pakistan," he said, adding that through justice, the government will win this war.

Opposition reacts to PM's speech

Reacting to Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech in which he lauded his government, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said that instead of singing praises for itself, the PTI should be "ashamed of itself for creating unprecedented inflation in the country."

"Over the last 2.5 years, inflation has risen from 3% to 16%, while 4 million people are unemployed," she said, adding that the country's growth rate has declined from 5.8% to -4%, which shouldn't be a matter of pride for the PTI government.

Akin to Marriyum, PPP's Central Secretary Information Faisal Karim Kundi said that the last two-and-a-half years of the PTI government had been "tormenting for the masses."

"The PM had previously said that he'd commit suicide but not beg before the IMF," he said, adding the government eventually had to go to the IMF.

"The PTI government has mortgaged the country's economy [by seeking loans from the IMF once again]."

Kundi questioned the government health card initiative and said: "How many people have so far received medical treatments through the health card? First, present statistics to the parliament [and praise your government later]."

On the other hand, JUI-F's central spokesperson Mohammad Aslam Ghauri said that once again, the premier's speech centred around the topis of corruption, theft, and shifting blames.

"Inflation has made life a living hell for the masses, but the PTI has done nothing except for hurling insults and blaming [other parties].