News Desk |
Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that an official invitation was extended to US President Donald Trump, who will soon be visiting Pakistan.
Addressing the members of the Federal Cabinet on Thursday, the Prime Minister noted that his 3-day visit to the United States was hugely successful, and Pakistan has succeeded in establishing a bilateral relationship with Washington on equal grounds.
Trump Invited to Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the US President Donald Trump will soon be visiting Pakistan. He also noted that Pakistan succeeded in highlighting the Kashmir struggle for independence at multiple platforms.
The inquiry commission formed to investigate foreign debts will also launch an investigation into the expenses undertaken by former rules on foreign trips.
Moreover, the PM said that Islamabad’s efforts for the Afghan reconciliation process have also been acknowledged, and now, Pakistan will enter refreshed bilateral relations with the US on equal terms. The premier noted that Pakistan will no longer be subjected to the former course of relations marred with mistrust and blame games.
This is a new chapter in Pakistan-US relations. PM @ImranKhanPTI had an exceptional meeting with Pres
Trump. Not only did @POTUS acknowledge Pak's crucial role in Afg peace process but also offered to facilitate talks b/w Pakistan & India on the Kashmir dispute. #KhanMeetsTrump— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) July 23, 2019
The Prime Minister called a meeting of the Federal Cabinet hours after he landed back in Pakistan after a busy 3-day official visit to Washington. Apart from engaging with US President Donald Trump, Imran Khan had meetings with the Presidents of the IMF and World Bank, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, US Congressmen, and businessmen of the American-Pakistani community.
The PM also addressed a mammoth gathering of American-Pakistanis at the Capital One Arena in Washington.
Read more: Who pulled the bigger crowd in US: Imran Khan vs Modi
The US visit is being hailed as a massive diplomatic success for Pakistan. During the weekly press briefing, Dr. Faisal, Foreign Office Spokesperson also confirmed the news regarding President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit.
Dr. Faisal had said, “Prime Minister Khan extended a cordial invitation to President Trump for a visit to Pakistan. The President accepted the invitation.”
@POTUS accepts @ImranKhanPTI invite to visit Pakistan. We welcome u Mr President. #pakusnewdawn
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) July 23, 2019
Underlining PM Khan’s US visit, Dr. Faisal noted that it was “very positive and successful.” The FO Spokesperson added that “Relations between Pakistan and US were stalled at least since 2015. I would reiterate that the intent to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and US has been expressed and now the relevant mechanisms will begin functioning to work out details of implementation.”
Recovering Plundered Wealth
During the cabinet meeting, details of the expenses incurred by former prime ministers, presidents and other dignitaries on foreign trips were presented in front of the Federal cabinet. These expenses included those incurred by former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and former President Mamnoon Hussain.
Prime Minister Khan promised that every single penny looted by former rulers will be recovered and the hard-earned wealth of the taxpayer will be returned to the national exchequer. The inquiry commission formed to investigate foreign debts will also launch an investigation into the expenses undertaken by former rules on foreign trips.
Murad Saeed’s efforts, and the improved performance of Pakistan Post’s employees and authorities were commended by Prime Minister Imran Khan and his federal cabinet.
Sources, circulating across media platforms, reveal that former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani went on 48 foreign trips during his four-year tenure, costing the national exchequer more than Rs 570 million. Moreover, he was accompanied by 2,067 people throughout the foreign trips taken during this period.
Gillani had also gave away gifts worth 12.2 million, paid 10.5 million in tips, and the hotel costs were a staggering Rs190 million. Other than that, Rs190 million was spent on food, while Rs.29.8 million was on TA/DA.
Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf took nine foreign trips during his one-year tenure, costing the national exchequer over Rs100 million, of which Rs9.2 million were spent on travel expenses, while Rs.4.7 million were given in tips.
Read more: ‘Promised Allah I would not let go of those who robbed country’: PM
Former president Mamnoon Hussain undertook 31 foreign trips during his five-year tenure, costing a total of Rs278 million. Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed that the taxpayer’s money looted by former rulers will be recovered and returned to the state.
Key Cabinet Decisions
The federal cabinet agreed to withdraw the administrative authorities of five regulatory authorities from several ministries, and these powers have now been assigned to the cabinet division.
Moreover, the cabinet has also approved the removal of the column of professional for the passport, while the appointment of the finance ministry’s additional secretary for expenses has been approved as the secretary of loans investigation commission.
The federal cabinet also authorized the decisions reached by the Economic Coordination Committee on 17th July, alongside sanctioning an extension for four months in the eighth wage board award to be given to journalist.
Read more: Taxpayer’s money used for lavish personal expenses & security: Muraad Saeed
The performance of the Pakistan Post was another subject discussed in greater detail, and the Federal Cabinet was informed that the Post has initiated multiple new projects. The staff of Pakistan Post is undergoing advanced training, while the department is being equipped with modern infrastructure to provide superior quality services.
Federal Minister for Communication Murad Saeed noted that Pakistan Post will be capable of addressing the deficit by the end of the ongoing fiscal year. Murad Saeed’s efforts, and the improved performance of Pakistan Post’s employees and authorities were commended by Prime Minister Imran Khan and his federal cabinet.