Opposition and country’s interests at odds: PM

Imran says money laundered abroad can be used in country for human development

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday hit out at the opposition parties for trying to create hurdles in the passage of the bills aimed at steering Pakistan out of the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, and maintained that their interests were at odds with those of the country.

“We told them [opposition parties] that it [the bills] is in Pakistan's interest… the way they negotiated [for backing the bills), I’m convinced that their interests are opposite to those of Pakistan,” the premier said while addressing a joint sitting of parliament.

“They [opposition parties] have nothing to do with Pakistan's interests. They tried to blackmail us to protect their interest," he added.

PM Imran thanked his party and its allies for supporting the legislation that would not only help in the country’s removal from the FATF grey list but also prevent it from being blacklisted by the global financial watchdog.

The country would face sanctions from international financial institutions if it ends up on the FATF’s blacklist, resulting in an increase in its economic woes, including a rise in inflation and poverty.

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The prime minister noted the FATF issue had not surfaced during the tenure of his government rather it had inherited the problem from its predecessor.

He said during negotiations with the government on the FATF legislation, the opposition had put forward amendments to 38 clauses of the accountability law. He added that the amendments were aimed at rendering the anti-graft watchdog National Accountability Bureau (NAB) powerless so that the opposition parties could safeguard their own interests.

“Having failed to convince the government, the opposition, as a last resort, sought the withdrawal of NAB's powers to probe into money laundering cases,” he said.

"If they [opposition parties] have done nothing wrong, what they are scared of?” he asked.

The premier said the large sum of money that was being laundered abroad could be used for human development in the country through the construction of schools, hospitals etc.

“The FATF legislation is not only essential to exclude Pakistan from the FATF grey list but also to curb money laundering as according to a US State Department report, around $10 billion is laundered annually from Pakistan, which is nearly double the amount of $6 billion IMF loan obtained by the current government,” he pointed out

“This is critical for the nation's future," he added and questioned as to why no previous ruler had ever tried to curb money laundering and focused only on purchasing properties in the world's costliest places in London.

PM Imran noted that Pakistan had earned global recognition over its strategy to contain Covid-19 and the World Health Organisation had advised other countries to follow its example.

“I expect at least ‘a little bit’ of appreciation from the opposition for [the government] simultaneously containing the pandemic and protecting the economy,” he added.

“In contrast India’s GDP has fallen by 24% amid a blanket lockdown, which was also strongly suggested by the opposition in Pakistan.”

Comparing the financial position of the Sharif family and former finance minister Ishaq Dar before joining politics with what it was now, the prime minister said they had always tried to play the card of political victimisation whenever questioned about the sources of their fortunes.

“The parliament's only responsibility is to protect public interest but the opposition was protecting their leaders, who had nothing to do with Pakistan's betterment.

Speaking on the recent heart-wrenching gang-rape on Lahore-Sialkot motorway, the prime minister said government would set up a database to register and track the sex offenders, and introduce legislation within a few days for stringent punishment for rapists and child abusers.

WITH INPUT FROM APP