News Analysis |
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had won the people’s mandate in the 2018 general elections without dishing out billions of rupees in development funds and solely on the basis of its performance. He was speaking at the ceremony which was organized to celebrate the first 100 days in office in KPK.
PM Khan thanked the people of KPK for re-electing his party to the office. “In 2013 [elections], we got a coalition government and in 2018, the people of Pakhtunkhwa who never give another chance [to political parties] gave the PTI a fantastic mandate,” he said in his address at Peshawar’s Nishtar Hall.
PM Imran said that the US asks Pakistan now for talks with the Taliban. “I was referred to as Taliban Khan… Now Pakistan has served as a bridge between the US and the Taliban.”
PM Khan made it clear to the lawmakers that his agenda is to work for the betterment of people and if ministers do not go to the offices then get ready to be replaced. “And then none of you should say ‘my ministry was taken away from me’ [if you are replaced for not going to work],” the prime minister cautioned.
Analysts believe that it is for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a PM is not afraid of any forward bloc and working independently to ensure that his government delivers up to the maximum level. It is also worth mentioning that the PM has warned ministers in Federal as well as provincial cabinet that their ministries will only be retained if the innovatively perform their duties and facilitate the common people.
Read more: PM Khan needs new model to deal with ‘mis-governance’ in Baluchistan
As a matter of fact, PM has already address the bureaucrats that he will not tolerate any malpractice and anyone involved in corruption will be brought before the public. If also warned the officers that if they do not respect the common men coming to their offices they should expect respect from the government as well.
Moreover, PM Khan also appreciated the work of CM KPK and CM Punjab who, in his view, is an “honest and simple man”. CM Punjab Usman Buzdar is often seen as a poor choice made by the premier. But Mr. Khan has also defended his decision and urged people to give some time to the CM who will make a difference.
It is worth mentioning here that President Donald Trump recently wrote a letter to Mr. Khan to play his role in order to manage ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
The prime minister mentioned that the people of Punjab had a strange situation of status-quo as a CM would act as a king in the province. “Usman Buzdar is simple, honest and brave and stood against the entire mafia,” said the prime minister.
Pakistan has Arranged US-Taliban Talks
PM Khan also said that the US which used to raise the slogans of ‘do more’ now asks Pakistan for negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan. PM Imran said that the US asks Pakistan now for talks with the Taliban. “I was referred to as Taliban Khan… Now Pakistan has served as a bridge between the US and the Taliban.”
About the war on terror, PM Khan always remained of the view that the peace can only be achieved through political means. He always stood for a political settlement in Afghanistan in order to ensure sustainable peace in the region. As a matter of fact, PM Khan was grilled by Pakistani liberals and American policymakers for suggesting a political solution to deal with Afghan Taliban who have their control over 45 percent area of the country.
Read more: PM Khan under fire on social media for his “U-turn” statement
Political analysts are of the view that now the USA has realized its weaknesses in Afghanistan and has also felt that it was unnecessary to use force to achieve peace in the region. It is worth mentioning here that President Donald Trump recently wrote a letter to Mr. Khan to play his role in order to manage ongoing conflict in Afghanistan. The PM vowed to play his role and ensure peace.