Imran vows all appointments in ‘Naya Pakistan to be based on merit’

Prime minister-in-waiting says strict accountability will be enforced on all ministers

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that all appointments in the government-in-waiting would be based on merit.

Addressing PTI parliamentary members at an event held in Peshawar on Tuesday, he directed all elected members that "in the previous governments those who came into power put their own interests before the country's".

The prime minister-in-waiting went on to say that the upcoming government would always put the needs of the people before their own. "We'll enforce strict accountability with each minster having to reach office on time and no discretionary funds for anyone," he added.



The former cricket star said that the discretionary fund would be removed via legislation.

A committee, he said, would formed to decrease the expenditures of prime minister, president and other ministers as well.

Pakistan is facing a financial crunch with half of the country bereft of getting  two meals a day, he added. "I'm sure that with hard work we can achieve our goals with me being a clear example of that."

The lavish culture of ministers will be replaced by austerity measures, Imran said, adding that the new government would double the work in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and will look to strengthen the local government system and infrastructure.