Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated his resolve that no NRO-like deal (National Reconciliation Ordinance) deal will be made with the corrupt opposition leaders. He maintained that there can be no compromise on accountability at any cost.
Watch PM Khan’s interview live as he shares challenges faced by Pakistan & how his govt overcame them, initiatives led by his govt & roadmap for upcoming years! #شاندار_کپتانی_کے_دو_سال#PMImranKhanonDunyaNews https://t.co/RFRRpZ4QT5
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 18, 2020
In an interview on a local news channel, PM Imran Khan said that he will betray the country if he grants NRO to corrupt opposition leaders. He said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had appointed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman by mutual consent in the name of a charter of democracy to escape accountability.
He maintained that the parties had brought the country on the brink of economic disaster. He also accused the opposition of blackmailing the federal government over the FATF issue only to get relief over the ongoing process of accountability in the country.
Read more: Are ‘looters’ and ‘VIP prisoners’ even interested in NRO?
The premier said that the opposition wanted to abolish NAB. Accepting proposed points of opposition tantamount to pack up NAB, the premier added.
No NRO-like deal until I am alive, PM
Prime Minister Imran Khan, a year ago, said that no one will get an NRO “until he is alive”. He was addressing during the foundation laying ceremony of the Baba Guru Nanak University at Nankana Sahib. He categorically expelled the impression of a political compromise between the government and opposition by saying “there is going to be no NRO-like deal”.
"اگر ہم نے ترقی کرنی ہے تو مدینہ کی ریاست کے اصولوں کی طرف واپس جانا ہوگا۔ پاکستان میں "ایلیٹ کلچر" ہے، امیر طبقے کے پاس سب کچھ ہے اور وہ امیر سے امیر تر ہوتا جا رہا ہے۔"
– وزیر اعظم عمران خان#PMImranKhanonDunyaNews pic.twitter.com/FKcqaem5Q5
— Awais Javed Satti (@AwaixJaved) August 19, 2020
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that that the politicians who are now seen participating in the Azadi March, a dharna led by Muala Fazl of JUI-F, are the culprits responsible for drowning the country in debt during the past decade. He said that these corrupt leaders left the country facing the worst fiscal debt and current account deficit crisis.
The Premier said that the individuals responsible for the economic turmoil faced by Pakistan today are the ones who have been blaming the incumbent government of failing since it assumed power. He added that the corrupt leaders are not fearful of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government’s failure, but in fact, they are afraid of the success of the government’s efforts towards economic revival, corruption eradication and maintenance of law and order.
Read more: Trusting Nawaz Was Bit Hard When 5 Family Members are Absconders
Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated his commitment to eliminate the scourge of corruption, and his unwavering resolve to punish the culprits. He said, “No one will be given NRO until I am alive.”
Foreign Friends pressing for NRO?
Last year, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed reinstated Prime Minister Imran Khan’s stance that the accused and corrupt politicians of the opposition will not be granted an NRO at any cost.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sheikh Rasheed said, “Regardless of what happens and whatever plan they hatch, no NRO will be given to them unless they decide to return the plundered wealth.”
Sheikh Rasheed referred to the speeches made by opposition leaders on the National Assembly in criticism of the accountability procedures, and stated, “These comments are evidence that these corrupt leaders are asking for NRO.”
Sheikh Rasheed dropped another intriguing revelation without naming any names, stating that the friendly countries of the arrested opposition leaders, including Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar amongst others, are “demanding NROs for them.”
Read more: “Are the Rest Not Human”? Asks Chairman NAB after Nawaz’s Departure
Referring to the All Parties Conference (APC) called by Maulana Fazlur Rehman alongside PPP and PML-N leadership, Sheikh Rasheed observed that it is called for the sole purpose of hiding their corruption through an anti-government movement.