ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that a corrupt person is an enemy of the country and masses.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the anti-corruption app called Report Corruption in Islamabad on Monday in connection with International Anti-Corruption Day, he said that a modern and prosperous society gives great emphasis on anti-corruption.
The prime minister said when corruption in any society increases, the money that was to be spent on health, education and other necessities of people transfers to the pockets of corrupt people. As those corrupt people are afraid of discovery of their ill-gotten wealth, they transfer it abroad.
Imran Khan said corrupt countries are poor and transparent nations are rich. He referred to the example of Congo, Nigeria and other African countries which are rich in natural resources but their people are facing extreme level of poverty due to rampant corruption in their societies. Switzerland, on the other hand, lacks natural resources but is very prosperous and rich.
Referring to the example of China, he said hundreds of people have been put in jails on graft charges including ministers in order to eradicate corruption from their country, adding that in Lebanon, Chile, Iraq and other countries people are protesting on roads against the corruption of their rulers. He said in this day and age it is not easy to hide corruption.
“The anti-corruption establishment Punjab has been successful in recovering billions of rupees from corrupt elements which need to be widely publicized,” PM Imran said and added recovered money will be spent on the uplift and betterment of people. Imran Khan urged the Punjab government to widely disseminate information about the money recovered from corruption to people.
The premier also regretted that people are unaware about the vital link between corruption and their miseries.
He termed it as a major step in making the country corruption free. He expressed hope that this app will help transforming Pakistan into a modern and transparent nation.
The Prime Minister said the Anti-Corruption Punjab has been successful in recovering billions of rupees from corrupt elements which need to be widely publicized. He said the recovered money will be spent on the uplift and betterment of people.
Terming overseas Pakistanis as precious asset of Pakistan, Imran Khan said they can invest heavily in the country if they are sure of no corruption. He called corrupt person as enemy of the people.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has on Monday said that those people who abandon their vision do not succeed ever.
The premier inaugurated Pakistan’s first National Science and Technology Park in Islamabad in the vicinity of National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and addressed the ceremony.
“Everything starts with a vision. Those nations which lose confidence become dependent on others. There is no plan B when you follow your vision as you have burnt all your bridges. We saw a plan B a few days ago and then came a plan C and plan Z.
“Some people get disheartened in tough time but you become stronger after rising from a failure. No one can beat you until you do not give up. Make struggle a part of your life and never be demoralized by the failures. The history only remembers those who work for the humanity. Passions always beats talent.
“It is non-democratic practice that an entire family comes into politics. Pakistan has lagged behind in education. The country’s progress has been halted due to absence of merit in past.
“A good captain knows where to utilize his players and that is why I have appointed Fawad Chaudhry as Minister for Science and Technology. I acknowledge his efforts.”
The Prime Minister also appreciated Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for always giving special emphasis on education. He urged the students to follow the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to become future leaders.
Referring to the philanthropy of Bill Gates, Imran Khan said he is a great man who is spending his money for the welfare of humanity. He said Bill Gates is also providing funds to Pakistan for polio eradication.
It is pertinent here to mention that National Science and Technology Park is being hailed as the country’s largest innovation and research ecosystem. The high-tech IT Park houses have more than forty companies, including start-ups, Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and tech giants.
Imran Khan assured to provide every possible support to the university to take forward this project. He said this model will also be replicated in other institutions as well. According to the NUST statement, the park will serve as a launchpad for the country’s leading researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. – NNI