Islamabad: Promising that all corrupt leaders will go to jail, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that no politicians and officials who have put Pakistan into the debt trap through their corrupt practices will get protection from any legislation like the defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO).
The controversial NRO was promulgated in October 2007 by the government of then president Gen Pervez Musharraf.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday to share the details of his efforts to bring cash-strapped Pakistan out of financial difficulties, Prime Minister Khan lashed out at the previous governments for raising Pakistan’s debt to Rs 30,00,000 crore.
The premier said the country has no future until and unless corruption is rooted out. “The fake bank accounts… where is all this money coming from? The money is being stolen (from the nation). The country’s leaders then have to go and ask for loans abroad… because dollars are laundered out of the country,” he said.
“This is the cycle that is functioning in Pakistan… a small class is growing wealthier, while the masses are becoming poorer.” In order to break this cycle, Khan said, the government will ensure accountability is carried out “no matter what anyone does”.
Urging the nation to not be dismayed by the economic difficulties, he said his government was cracking down against corruption and money laundering.
“Don’t worry at all,” he told the nation, adding that people who tolerate a corrupt leadership, unfortunately, have to pay the price for it. He said the government is making all-out efforts to prevent stolen money from flowing out of the country.
