PM Khan talks economy, governance and civil-military

ties in wide-ranging TV interview

Dawn.comUpdated December 03, 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during an interview with a group of journalists. — DawnNewsTV
screengrab

Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during an interview with a group of journalists. — DawnNewsTV
screengrab
Prime Minister Imran Khan has shed light on various subjects of national importance including the
state of the economy, civil-military relations and governance issues in a wide-ranging interview
broadcast on TV on Monday.

In the pre-recorded interview, Khan answered questions by a panel of journalists representing various media
organisations.

Rupee devaluation
The prime minister said he had found out about last week's plunge in the value of rupee after watching the
news. He said the decision to decrease the value of the currency against the US dollar was taken by the State
Bank.

Watch full interview.

"Please remember, we are trying to autonomise institutions," he said. "We have made SBP autonomous, they
took the decision because they deem it fit."

He said the previous PML-N government had left a trade deficit of $19 billion, which increased from a
previous deficit of $2.5 billion.

"The PML-N govt had spent $7 billion to [artificially] maintain the value of the rupee," he said.

Khan acknowledged that such a sharp drop in the value of the rupee creates "uncertainty", but stressed that he
had not been aware of the decision to decrease the currency's value.

"I have conveyed a message to the SBP to keep us in the loop so we can give our input," the prime minister
said, adding that he would have preferred if the devaluation took place a bit later.

"The [rupee] adjustment is a temporary phenomenon," he assured. "We are facing a foreign exchange crisis.
Our [macroeconomic] indicators are now headed in the right direction, we will not face the issue in the future."

Conducted PM Imran Khan’s first interview along with

Khan said bringing in foreign investment will be crucial in raising the dollar reserves of the country. He quoted
the Chinese ambassador as saying that China is entering investment contracts with Pakistan for the first time.

"China created export zones, with foreign investment and local labour. We want to replicate the same model."

Khan said all ministers have reported their achievements to him and that he will review their performance
during the ongoing week. "We might change some ministers," he cautioned.

The prime minister said the country is currently facing crises on multiple fronts and "every single institution"
is running in losses.

"As per the Singapore model, we will incorporate these institutions into holding companies," he said. "Our
performance in the given scenario is exemplary. You will see stability in the coming days."

When asked about the issues facing the business community, Khan said Pakistan is lagging behind when it
comes to 'ease of doing business'.
"We are trying to create a [positive] environment. We are establishing an office entitled 'ease of doing
business' to provide a one-window solution to investors and to resolve their issues," he said. "Though it is a
slow process, we are trying our best to ensure ease of doing business."

He said the government will provide incentives to the industry.

'Army totalling standing by PTI manifesto'

Answering a question regarding his government's relationship with the military, Khan said the Pakistan Army
"is currently totally standing by PTI's manifesto".

"We have no problems at the present," he said, adding that his government also hasn't faced issues of "civil-
military discord" as seen during past governments.

He said leaders around the world seek the opinion of their military establishment "since they are equipped with
the means to brief us on security issues".

There was a meeting due between me, Gen Bajwa and Akhtar Mengal. Akhtar Mengal
couldn’t make it to the meeting but for the record, Gen Bajwa has given me full
assurance on resolving missing persons issue.

He said Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa is standing steadfastly by the democratic government, and both
are on the "same page". "There is not a single decision that was not taken by me, and there is not a single
decision behind which the Pakistan Army does not stand."

Gen Qamar Bajwa is standing steadfast by us. There’s not a single decision that has
been taken alone by either of us. All decisions are taken by me and Gen Bajwa stands
right beside those decisions. - IK

Asked about his government's efforts to address the missing persons' issue, the prime minister said a meeting
had been scheduled between him and Balochistan National Party (BNP-M) president Sardar Akhtar Mengal.
However, Mengal could not make it to the meeting due to some reason, he said.

"I have full assurance from Gen Bajwa that they want to help in resolving the missing persons' issue," Khan
said.

'Regret' over CJP's remarks

Speaking about a case of alleged abuse of power by federal minister Azam Swati, Khan said he does not
interfere in the matters of institutions to protect anyone.

"We will obey the court orders. Azam Swati will resign if found guilty," he said.

If Azam Swati’s misuse of power is proved, he will himself resign. JIT is formed by SC
and it is independent. I have never intervened in this case although I head the deptt that
is investigating Azam Swati.

He was also asked about the role allegedly played by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in the transfer of
former Pakpattan district police office Rizwan Gondal. "What is wrong if the chief executive of a province
calls a police officer to inquire about the alleged abuse suffered by somebody's daughter, who happens to be
the daughter of Bushra begum, at the hands of police?" Khan questioned in response.
Khan expressed "regret" over remarks by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar in which the top judge pointed to
alleged nepotism on Khan's part in the appointment of Zulfi Bukhari's as the Special Assistant to the Prime
Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development.

Early election in Punjab?

Answering a question regarding his promise of creating a new province in south Punjab, Prime Minister Khan
said it was a gradual process and that in the first phase, his government is administratively facilitating people
of the southern region of Punjab.

Journalist Hamid Mir pointed out that if a South Punjab province is formed, the PTI risked losing its
government in central Punjab, where it does not have a majority.

At this, Khan responded by suggesting that such a situation would perhaps arise by the time the next general
elections are scheduled to be held. However, after interjection by some journalists, he said: "No no, it is
possible that election happens even before [the scheduled time, in the two Punjab provinces]."

"You know a captain can change his strategy at any time," he added in a lighter vein.

'Old-minded bureaucrats'
Prime Minister Khan said the nation would have to decide whether "it wants to let corruption prevail".

He cited the example of China in ridding itself of corruption. "China is sailing past the US in economy, they
have convicted 400 ministers during the past five years," he noted.

The nation must decide that are we to tolerate corruption? If the answer is yes, then we
have no future. Then, just ask yourselves why there’s no corruption in developed
countries? - IK

Khan said the major hurdle in his government's anti-corruption plans are some "old-minded bureaucrats" who
are "trying to sabotage [our efforts] and creating an impression that the government will not be able to
continue".
"We have recovered land worth trillions of rupees," he said. "Mafias are behind real encroachments. We have
asked the authorities not to target poor people but the mafias."

"FBR, FIA and the anti-corruption [department] are working under the government. We have signed
agreements on data sharing of each others' citizens with 26 countries."

Sharing an "interesting aspect" of the drive, Khan said the UAE and Saudi Arabia had refused to share the data
of Pakistani iqama holders saying it was equivalent to sharing their citizenship information. "Now, you’ll
know why iqamas were sought secretly," he remarked.

In a reference to his political opponents, he said people had laundered money out of the country but they
weren't caught because they held UAE iqamas.

Accountability not 'revenge tactics'

Addressing the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) differences with the opposition parties regarding the
appointment of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Khan said the PML-N wanted
Shahbaz Sharif to head the committee, even though he is currently in a NAB jail and facing cases regarding 56
public sector companies.
"Will it not be a joke of our democracy if a person comes from the jail to chair the [PAC]?"

He said the opposition has boycotted all standing committees over the issue of PAC chairmanship. "They are
trying to pressurise us into saying, 'We support democracy, let’s work together' and giving them an NRO
[National Reconciliation Ordinance]," Khan added.

The premier said the opposition parties "term accountability as revenge tactics", but that none of the corruption
cases against opposition members was instated by his government.

'What's wrong in taking U-turns?'

Khan once again defended his inclination towards reversing his own decisions, saying: "People always blame
me for taking U-turns, I have never denied that and I don’t think of it as a bad thing. What’s wrong in changing
the strategy to achieve your goals?"

"My goal is across-the-board accountability and I’m willing to shake hands with anyone who won’t object to
that," he said.

Khan said he decided to travel abroad only when he knew the visit would be beneficial for Pakistan’s
economy. "Right now everyone abroad is aware that our economy is destroyed. So, my focus is on fixing that
before touring abroad."

'Very nice' letter from Trump

Prime Minister Khan informed journalists he had received a "very nice" letter from US President Donald
Trump seeking Pakistan's assistance in bringing about a negotiated end to the Afghan war.

Asked what his way forward would be, the premier said, "We will try our best to have the Afghan Taliban sit
with the Americans for a dialogue."