Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan Friday said Imran Khan has a clear and bold stance against corruption, with no leniency for corrupt elements.
Talking to media outside parliament, she said the Transparency International should fully review its own worth and credibility prior to releasing reports. She said that Transparency International’s Pakistan chapter was favoured by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz which is an open secret, adding that such reports cannot misguide the world about Pakistan and the efforts being made by Imran Khan for eradication of corruption.
She called for thorough assessment of the TI report to differentiate the fact from fiction. ‘Specific elements’ should also be identified who had been active in compiling the report, prior to jumping to the conclusion, she said, adding that a ‘corruption king’ is employing tactics to hide his malpractices and wrongdoings but the people will ultimately know about his corruption.
Dr Firdous said that the government has rejected the findings of the ‘managed’ and ‘biased’ report by Transparency International. “There is a huge question mark over the transparency of TI. It is necessary to expose the people and the data, on the basis of which this this report was published, in front of the public,” she said. “It is our fault that we did not fawn over the head of TI’s Pakistan chapter and allowed him to retire after the expiry of his term,” she said. This is contrary to what the PML-N did which explains why the reports during their term were so favourable, she added.
“Who will respect the findings of a report that says the most amount of corruption was done during the government of Gen Pervez Musharraf, followed by Imran Khan’s government and then by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), placing the PML-N government at the very bottom? The findings of the report are laugh worthy. The clean chit given to the ‘corruption kings’ who are currently under trial in the country’s courts makes it evident that the report is not fair, fair or transparent. It is biased,” she said.
The PM’s aide maintained that those who have fled the country are trying to spread ill will among the people the prime minister has chosen to lead the fight against corruption. “Prime Minister Imran Khan is adamant on fulfilling the mandate given to him by the people. We will keep on working to provide the people a country free of corruption,” she said. “Corruption kings are using this report as a tool to hide their sins, but they will be disappointed. Moody’s and other international agencies have not only recognised an improvement in the country’s economic indicators but have also appreciated the efforts being taken by the government,” she added.
The SAPM said Prime Minister Imran Khan’s resolve is manifest to the world, which aims at uprooting corruption from the country. She said the present government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has come into power with the clear agenda of uprooting corruption at any cost. She said the law fully ensures the rights of the people, adding that strategy will be chalked out to protect the rights of media workers in line with the PTI’s slogan of justice for unprivileged people.
