On Saturday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said the language used by the opposition was similar to the propaganda peddled by India to undermine Pakistan as a republic.
Addressing the Chakwal case, where the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for many development projects earlier today, he said: “The way the political opposition of Pakistan has attacked the Pakistan Army, this has never happened before in our history.”
“Former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf used to be criticised, but he was political […] the criticism being dealt out these days, I am sorry to say, is using the language that India’s propaganda machine uses against the Pakistan Army.”
Commenting on a recent study by the Brussels-based EU DisinfoLab on an Indian disinformation network that has been operating since 2005 to discredit countries in conflict with Delhi, especially Pakistan, the Prime Minister said: “The aim of this was to put Pakistan in a negative light in front of the world and to show that there is chaos in order for nobody to invest in the country.”
“The Pakistan Army was also targeted […] India wants the army to be portrayed as a rogue army and as terrorists.”
He said it was also found that the fake pages uncovered in the investigation were also supporting the Democratic Movement of Pakistan (PDM), a coalition of 11 political parties.
This is the first time Pakistan’s resistance has, in this manner, attacked the Pakistan Army. There is no prior instance of this.’
He also rubbished the opposition’s arguments that in the 2018 elections the establishment played a role. “If the election was rigged, did you go to to the Election Commission of Pakistan or the Supreme Court? Did you take this up in Parliament? Did you say at any forum that the election was rigged?”
The prime minister said the “whole nation knew” knew that for the past 30 years the leaders of opposition parties have robbed the government.
Articles written on them internationally are there. Two documentaries have been made by the BBC on [Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari] and their corruption. On TV, you will see what they used to tell about each other […] as they called each other corrupt.
He said the opposition was targeting a national institution that is needed now more than ever in an attempt to preserve its ill-gotten gains, as “never before has there been such a government in India in the history of the subcontinent”
An extremist, totalitarian, violent, anti-Muslim, anti-Islam and anti-Pakistan government,” he said.
He added that in a bid to promote instability, India carried out terrorism in Balochistan and the combined parts of the country. “Our jawboys are sacrificing their lives.” I’ve never seen an opposition move like this to destroy their country only to get an NRO.
He added that if the opposition is granted an NRO by any country, it would be equal to treason.
“Gen Musharraf gave an NRO two these two [Nawaz and Zardari] and our loans multiplied by four times in the span of 10 years.”
He claimed that half of the money raised under taxes was spent on paying loan payments when the PTI took over administration. He added that owing to interest, the debt rose in the second year of governance.
Therefore, we don’t have to spend too much money on individuals. When unethical entities fall into power, this is what happens. From top to bottom, they break the entire device.
The premier said that real democracy keeps its representatives accountable, describing the contrast between kingship and democracy.
He said in a clear reference to Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Maryam Nawaz, “Look at the children of these leaders who are carrying out rallies for an NGO.” Anyone should ask them what their qualifications are. What is the explanation for the heads of your respective parties being you? What did you accomplish? “
They ask you, for even a tiny task, what your background is. Without it, you can’t get a career. If anyone asks them what their work background is, they’ll say that the most dishonest men in Pakistan are their fathers.
“This is their qualification. They haven’t worked for an hour in their life and are here to run a country.”
‘No progress without education’
Changing gears, the premier said that without educating his people, no country can advance, “This doesn’t even happen in fairy tales.”
Training has no direct benefits, he added. The way our society has grown, we think about concrete projects that enable us to win the next election, he said. “A government which thinks about the next generation prioritises education.”
He said Pakistan has the world’s second youngest population. If we empower them with the requisite skills, the more importance we will bring to this segment of the population, then the nation can move ahead.’
He expected that if focus is paid to hiring quality students, the two ventures he unveiled today, namely Chakwal University and the Centre of Excellence, would create great talent.
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