PM seeks civil servants' support in realisation of 2020 as year of growth, development

Tough to amend NAB law: Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Describing the amendment to the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, as a “tough decision”, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday sought the support of civil servants in the realisation of 2020 as the year of growth and development.

On December 26, the government had provided relief to businessmen and bureaucrats by promulgating the NAB amendment ordinance.

“As we have to lift the country in the year 2020, I need your support in this respect,” he said while addressing a gathering of senior civil servants and bureaucrats at the Prime Minister House.

The prime minister said his government never asked the bureaucracy to take any illegal decision; rather insulated it as against the past.

He said improvement in the governance system was inevitable to bring in stability. “Wealth creation would be possible if the industries are allowed to flourish.”

Imran said NAB was meant to take action against public office-holders for misusing the office while the business community had nothing to do with public offices.

He said those, who were criticising the NAB ordinance, should first understand NAB's mandate.

The prime minister said fearing NAB, the bureaucracy was frightened to take decisions as the procedures involved risks and they had been facing unnecessary pressure from the bureau.

In order to achieve the target of 5 million houses, he said, the government expected cooperation from the bureaucracy.

The present government’s ambitious housing programme would boost the 40 allied industries, create job opportunities and stimulate economic activity in the country, he added.

He said the bureaucracy as well as the business community needed protection from NAB’s pressure.

The prime minister told the gathering that the business community did not fall under NAB for not holding public offices as tax cases were related to the Federal Board of Revenue.

He said 2019 was a tough year for the government during which they focused on stabilisation of economy through various macroeconomic measures which led to strengthening of rupee, restoration of investors’ confidence and improvement in the stock market - vital for running the wheels of economy.

The prime minister also spoke of the bad economic situation his government inherited and said the country’s debt was increased from Rs6 trillion to Rs30 trillion during 2008 to 2018 by the previous governments.

Half of the country’s revenue was used for debt-servicing alone, he added.

Highlighting the importance of improved governance, the prime minister said he expected the bureaucracy to achieve the standards and reputation of the 1960s.

He described nine million Pakistani expatriates as an asset for the country and pointed out that many among them, who were investors and small and media entrepreneurs, did not invest in their homeland -- which offered a lot of opportunities -- due to the impediments of poor governance system and opted for other destinations.

The prime minister said after stabilising the economy in 2019, the government would now focus on growth and development in 2020, and also beat inflation and unemployment by boosting industrial and agricultural development.

Earlier, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Establishment Muhammad Shehzad Arbab, in his address of welcome, said after the promulgation of the NAB Amendment Ordinance, the government was also working on other areas of concern for the bureaucracy, including their capacity building and training; tenure protection and compensation package. APP