Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Sunday said that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) is an autonomous body which takes decisions on its own without any government influence.
The foreign minister said this while responding to a question in Multan about the verbal spat between the accountability watchdog and Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. Earlier on Saturday, Chaudhry and NAB had traded barbs once again after the former ordered an inquiry into the minister’s tweet regarding PTI leader Aleem Khan’s case.
Qureshi said: "It [NAB] doesn't work under the government, we cannot influence it. We can't bring it under pressure [and] neither will it take decisions at our behest. NAB has to take decisions and it is autonomous. Our expectation is for NAB to support us in the process to eradicate corruption. The eradication of corruption is a pillar of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's agenda."
"We want corrupt elements, no matter which party they belong to, to be uprooted and the class which had caused losses to the national exchequer to be held accountable.
"The nation expects NAB to keep moving forward, without any pressure or concession [to corrupt elements], for a corruption-free Pakistan," he added.
'Economic issues can't be resolved overnight'
Talking about the current economic situation, Qureshi appeared to justify the faltering economy. "At the end of the last government's tenure, the trade deficit was at a historical low, the foreign direct investment (FDI) was extremely low and [foreign and domestic] loans had been increased by several folds."
"[Prime Minister Imran] Khan has already said that the previous governments from 1948 to 2008 had heaped a load of Rs6,000 billion, and during the last 10 years, the country was placed under a burden of Rs30,000 billion [debt]."
"Who is responsible for the increase in debt by Rs24,000 billion? The 8-month-old government of the PTI could not be held responsible for this," he added.
The minister further claimed: "Ishaq Dar under his policy had artificially packed the dollar and to provide sustainability to the rupee, he used to inject dollars into the market."
"When the PTI took charge, the foreign exchange reserves were sufficient only for two weeks. The PTI had to face this deteriorated situation and now the party is trying to put the things in order. Finance Minister Asad Umar or anyone else cannot resolve all the issues overnight or in the blink of an eye.
"They are gradually taking measures which will start bringing stability in the economy. After a time lag, you will see that exports are increased, a trend of investments will become visible and the same will play a role in reducing unemployment. It is a challenge we have inherited from the previous government. It is our responsibility to overcome the challenge and with the help of God we will overcome the challenge."
PM to visit Iran, China
The minister in his chat with reporters announced that Prime Minister Khan will visit Iran and China later this month.
He stressed the need for maintaining peaceful relations with Tehran and reiterated that Pakistan does not interfere in the international affairs of India and Afghanistan, where he said Islamabad has been supporting the peace process.
Qureshi said that Islamabad will welcome "any engagement for peace" from the new government to be formed in New Delhi. But Pakistan will maintain a high level of preparedness till May 19, when elections in India are due to culminate, he added.Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that the steps taken by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government will improve the overall economic situation of the country.
“Foreign direct investment had fallen to dangerous levels, Rs 6,000 trillion debt was accumulated by the previous governments,” said Qureshi while addressing the media in Multan, adding that PTI can’t be held responsible for the actions undertaken by the previous governments.
“When PTI came into power, the forex reserves were adequate for two months only,” adding that the government is trying to rectify the situation.”
Qureshi stated that, be it Asad Umar or anyone else, nobody can improve the country’s economic situation overnight. “Steps are being taken, and finances will improve.”
The foreign minister reaffirmed that investment trend is coming, it will play a role for creating job opportunities.
The foreign minister stated that the country’s current financial challenge was inherited from past governments. “We have competent officers who will take government policies to a conclusion.”
“The finances have begun to gain stability with the PTI government’s efforts policies.”
We will put our performance before public after five years and accept the public’s decision at the end of our tenure, the foreign minister went on to add.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in my view is an autonomous entity, the foreign minister said. “We cannot influence it”.
NAB has to take its decisions. Eradication of corruption is an important part of the PTI agenda.”There should be accountability of the segment that has brought losses to Pakistan, Qureshi added.
Speaking on Friday’s blast that took place at Hazar Ganji market, Quetta, Qureshi said, that “we don’t want to engage in political point scoring.”
“Through investigation, we have to see that Hazara community targeted in Quetta, who are educated and laborious, we have to see if there is a sectarian or international force behind it.” We will not adopt India’s attitude, the foreign minister said.
Qureshi also said that elections have begun in India, adding that Pakistan needs to stay alert till May 19 in the wake of the Indian elections.
The foreign minister announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to visit Iran. “We share a good relation with Iran, It is in the interest of Pak to maintain peaceful border with it.”
PM Imran will be the chief guest at the Belt and Road Forum and will be the chief guest address a keynote address. He will visit China on April 25 where he will have meetings with the Chinese leaders
“It is our target to achieve foreign relation objectives, And we will have good sessions with them.”
“We don’t intend to intervene in Afghanistan’s matter, Qureshi said, adding that we are treating reconciliation as a priority. “Pakistan will be ready to engage whoever comes into power.”
Next session of Taliban is expected to take place in Doha.
“We desire regional peace and stability. We want improvement, prosperity, stability and peace in Afghanistan.”
“Foreign direct investment had fallen to dangerous levels, Rs 6,000 trillion debt was accumulated by the previous governments,” said Qureshi while addressing the media in Multan, adding that PTI can’t be held responsible for the actions undertaken by the previous governments.
“When PTI came into power, the forex reserves were adequate for two months only,” adding that the government is trying to rectify the situation.”
Qureshi stated that, be it Asad Umar or anyone else, nobody can improve the country’s economic situation overnight. “Steps are being taken, and finances will improve.”
The foreign minister reaffirmed that investment trend is coming, it will play a role for creating job opportunities.
The foreign minister stated that the country’s current financial challenge was inherited from past governments. “We have competent officers who will take government policies to a conclusion.”
“The finances have begun to gain stability with the PTI government’s efforts policies.”
We will put our performance before public after five years and accept the public’s decision at the end of our tenure, the foreign minister went on to add.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in my view is an autonomous entity, the foreign minister said. “We cannot influence it”.
NAB has to take its decisions. Eradication of corruption is an important part of the PTI agenda.”There should be accountability of the segment that has brought losses to Pakistan, Qureshi added.
Speaking on Friday’s blast that took place at Hazar Ganji market, Quetta, Qureshi said, that “we don’t want to engage in political point scoring.”
“Through investigation, we have to see that Hazara community targeted in Quetta, who are educated and laborious, we have to see if there is a sectarian or international force behind it.” We will not adopt India’s attitude, the foreign minister said.
Qureshi also said that elections have begun in India, adding that Pakistan needs to stay alert till May 19 in the wake of the Indian elections.
The foreign minister announced that Prime Minister Imran Khan is going to visit Iran. “We share a good relation with Iran, It is in the interest of Pak to maintain peaceful border with it.”
PM Imran will be the chief guest at the Belt and Road Forum and will be the chief guest address a keynote address. He will visit China on April 25 where he will have meetings with the Chinese leaders
“It is our target to achieve foreign relation objectives, And we will have good sessions with them.”
“We don’t intend to intervene in Afghanistan’s matter, Qureshi said, adding that we are treating reconciliation as a priority. “Pakistan will be ready to engage whoever comes into power.”
Next session of Taliban is expected to take place in Doha.
“We desire regional peace and stability. We want improvement, prosperity, stability and peace in Afghanistan.”
