New Pakistan PM vows to target graft, govt. expenses

Pakistan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan has vowed in his first speech to the nation to fight corruption and cut government expenses, calling on the rich to pay taxes in support of the poor and help decrease the country’s reliance on loans and foreign aid.

According to the reports, in his maiden 70-minute long address, Khan reiterated most of his pre-election campaign pledges, including efforts to root out corruption, deliver swift justice and revive economy as well as supremacy of the law.

During the televised speech, the former cricket star outlined his vision for a “new Pakistan” and spoke at length about the need to reshape the South Asian country by introducing an Islamic welfare system, reducing poverty and initiating an austerity drive to slash high debt levels.

“We have formed a bad habit of living on loans and aid from other countries,” said Khan, speaking under a portrait of his hero and Pakistan founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

“We don’t even feel bad about going to people to ask for money. Sometimes we ask a country for money or take loans from somewhere. Now we have to take loans from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). Look, no country can prosper like this. A country must stand on its own feet,” he added.

The 65-year-old called for a progressive tax system and vowed to spend the money on the neediest, such as malnourished children, victims of abuse and on fighting climate change.

Stressing the need to tackle corruption, the charismatic sports star also proposed an austerity plan to reduce the trappings of government.

The initiative included the sale of most of the vehicles allotted to the prime minister, staff layoffs and turning the official residence into a university. He said he would live in a small house instead of the palatial prime minister’s residence.

“I will fight the corrupt. Either this country will survive or the corrupt people,” the newly-elected premier said.

Khan vowed to improve Pakistan’s relationship with neighboring countries and as well as the security situation in restive Balochistan Province and the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.

“We want peace, because Pakistan cannot prosper until the peace is restored,” he said.

SS