PM Imran welcomes Biden's intention to target illicit wealth

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed President-elect Joe Biden's intention to target illicit wealth.

In a tweet, the premier shared an article that stated that Biden was expected to make a crackdown on illicit finances - both in the United States and abroad - a priority in his administration.

He said developing countries were falling into poverty at the hands of corrupt elites who use money laundering to divert wealth to rich countries.

The Foreign Policy article shared by PM Imran, quotes a Biden essay written for Foreign Affairs. The president-elect states in the article that, “I will lead efforts internationally to bring transparency to the global financial system, go after illicit tax havens, seize stolen assets, and make it more difficult for leaders who steal from their people to hide behind anonymous front companies.”

Moreover, the article also quotes Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan, saying that one of Biden's top goals was to “rally our allies to combat corruption and kleptocracy, and to hold systems of authoritarian capitalism accountable for greater transparency and participation in a rules-based system.”

The prime minister's support for Biden's stance comes amid a movement of sorts being led against his incumbent government by opposition parties, some leaders and members of which are currently facing corruption charges.

However, the opposition claims it is being subjected to political victimisation, and has resorted to holding rallies under an 11-party alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in a bid to muster public support and oust the PM Imran Khan-led government.

A day earlier, on December 8, the PDM announced that all parliamentarians belonging to its constituent parties would submit their resignations from the national and provincial assemblies to their respective party chiefs by December 31 – finally opting for a last-ditch attempt to send the PTI-led government packing.

On December 7, PM Imran had reiterated to his government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) spokespersons that he will not compromise on accountability.

“The opposition is endangering the lives of the people to save its corruption … they don't know me … even if my government leaves, I will not compromise on accountability,” he had said.