People of Karachi have golden chance, should stand up: Imran

Says public knows if they pay taxes, they will either go to
Dubai or Panama; people like model Ayyan Ali are
taking bags full of the country’s wealth outside

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that there is a need for change in the country, saying that the country can make rapid progress if we change ourselves.

Imran Khan was expressing these views while addressing a gathering of traders in Karachi on the Labour Day. He drew parallels between KP and Sindh from the perspective of administrative and political challenges that stand in the way of efficient governance. He said the people of Karachi have a golden chance and they should stand up.

“Public knows if they pay taxes, it will either go to Dubai or Panama,” Khan said while expressing public sentiment who feel reluctant to pay taxes. He said that the rulers should not forget that the bomb of unemployment may explode any time saying that there will be no need of begging from the IMF and any other country in case the nation had trust upon the government. The devolution of power police, reforms, tax collection and nepotism were a few areas he touched upon in his speech on the importance of empowered institutions.

"The more you devolve power, the more efficient your systems will be. Devolution is really important for Karachi. The current set-up is neither here nor there," he said stressing upon the importance of having democratically-elected representatives being answerable to the public.

In Peshawar, the mayor gets to spend 30 per cent of the development budget, he said. Among other things, Imran Khan considered rooting out of corruption as one of PTI's significant achievements in KP.

"Why are we getting record levels of investment in KP? Because companies know that they won't have to pay bribes at every level. They know that if they spot something unusual, they can tell Imran Khan about it and Imran Khan will take action."

On police and law and order, Imran Khan said that the KP Police, after being reformed, stood at a much better place than they once did. Even AD Khowaja says he wants police like that of KP, said Imran Khan.

How did we improve KP's policing? We installed IG Nasir Durrani and gave him authority, he said adding the police are so politicized in Punjab that almost all the PTI leadership had cases registered against them.

Scoffing at the role of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Pakistan's apex tax collecting authority, Imran Khan said Pakistan is a very generous nation. We give more in charity than we do in taxes. What does that indicate? He spoke about creating an environment where people pay taxes out of choice as opposed to compulsion, stressing that it was only possible if taxpayers could see their money being spent on their own development. "Why would anyone pay taxes if the money is going to go to Panama and Dubai?" He said people like model Ayyan Ali are taking bags full of the country's wealth outside.

Imran Khan ended his speech by thanking the traders present on the occasion. He reminded them how significant their contributions had been in setting up the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. "When I started my campaign to launch Shaukat Khanum, a lot of people encouraged me but only a few among them actually donated money. The traders helped a lot," he said.

"The more tax increases, the more incidents of theft and robbery will increase in the country," he said, adding traders are not even assured security in the country. "The country where traders are under constant threat of their children being kidnapped cannot prosper." While talking about the work his party has done for the region, Imran said Galiyat, near Abbottabad, has started to look like Europe. He pointed out at the state of sanitation in Karachi, saying the city is drowning in garbage.

On the occasion of the Labour Day, Imran Khan addressed a workers convention in Karachi. He said that a society cannot progress until labourers get their rights. “When PTI gets power, we will fulfill promises,” said Imran, adding that he aims to turn Pakistan into a welfare state.

He said that PTI leader Jahangir Tareen takes care of every labourer in his sugar mill. “The amount of tax that Tareen pays in one year, Nawaz doesn’t in even 15 years,” he jibed. He also said that our economic policy is flawed, adding that privatisation of institutions is not the right move. Imran Khan concluded his speech by directing PTI leader Asad Umar to set up a committee that would be responsible for registering and addressing the concerns of traders.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan and PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi met nationalist leader Mumtaz Bhutto at his residence where Imran Khan offered him to join the PTI. Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi arrived at the residence separately. Both leaders expressed deep grief over the demise of his elder brother.

Talking to the media, Mumtaz Bhutto strongly criticized PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari saying that Zardari was the corruption symbol and it was surprising that Zardari was talking about corruption and against corruption. On Imran Khan's offer of joining the PTI, Mumtaz Bhutto sought some time for consultation.

Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Imran Khan set an impressive example by abiding by traffic laws and regulations on Monday. Unlike other politicians and VIPs who flout traffic rules along with their convoys, the cricketer-turned-politician set an example by abiding by the laws just like a common man.

Twice Imran stopped at a signal and ensured his protocol followed suit. The vehicle in which he was traveling was being driven by PTI leader Imran Ismail. While he waited at a traffic signal, the PTI chairman also gave money to a beggar.