PM rejects reconciliation, says can’t shake hands with corrupt opponents

| Imran Khan says Opposition Leader facing corruption allegations 

| Rules out restrictions on social media | Expresses concerns over rising rape cases | Urges scholars to guide nation on preserving moral values

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE  -  Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said that there was a massive difference between the morality and ethics of Western countries as compared to ours. He said that money has no standing in the British parliament, unlike the Senate of Pakistan where there are countless allegations of horse-trading.

“A nation dies when it loses the ability to differentiate between good and bad. When you see something wrong and don’t call it out, that means that your decline has begun,” PM Imran Khan said while addressing a ceremony at the Academy of Letters after inaugurating the Hall of Fame on Thursday.

According to the premier, the country has been facing with two challenges. The first being that people had accepted corruption and the second was social media. “People tell me that you don’t shake the hand of the opposition leader. [But] he is facing corruption allegations worth billions. If I shake his hand, I make it [the crime] acceptable in society.”

Once again giving the example of England, he said that a minister who was facing corruption allegations was not allowed to enter parliament until he was cleared of the charges. “Their standards are higher than ours and that is why I have made the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority, the purpose of which is to provide children with a role model; Holy Prophet (PBUH).”

Also, PM Imran Khan ruled out restrictions on social media stating that in the wake of unrestricted content available on social media huge responsibility lies on writers, scholars and intellectuals to guide the nation on preserving moral and ethical values eroding rapidly.

He said he was informed by provincial police chiefs that sex crimes were on the rise in the country, and highlighted the benefits and cons of mobile phones. “Three years ago, the entire nation stood up for the Zainab case. Now you read the newspapers and see a multitude of such news, but there is no reaction.”

He noted that the material from Pakistani films was being sourced from Bollywood, which had taken it from Hollywood. “We don’t envisage the repercussions of the culture that is coming in.”

He said that Indian films had changed drastically over the last few decades. “New Delhi is called the rape capital. We take in that culture and it has its effects. So, this is where scholars come in and have to guide society.”

The prime minister while highlighting the power of pen and words, the intellectuals and writers could help in protecting the ideology of a nation. He cited decline in moral values as a major reason for the rise of corruption in the society and regretted that the moral and ethical values were gradually eroding which needs to be preserved.

Expressing serious concern over the rising cases of sex crimes in the country, the PM said, access to immoral content on social media regardless of age restriction was a big factor. “In today’s Pakistan, the need for an effective input and involvement of our intellectuals and scholars has increased manifold,” he said.

Emulating life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) imperative to achieve real social welfare: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that to achieve real social welfare and progress, it is imperative that the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) are fully understood and emulated by Muslims in their daily lives.

The prime minister expressed these views in an interaction with the envoys of Muslim countries on outlining the concept and vision underlining the establishment of the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority, the PM Office said Thursday.

Stressing that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a blessing for all humanity, the prime minister underscored the appeal of Islam’s universal message and the bounties of following the fundamental precepts of the Riasat-e-Madina, in particular, the principles of justice, rule of law, welfare of the people and an unswerving focus on the acquisition of knowledge.

 The prime minister elucidated that the prime objective of establishing the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority was to develop a deeper understanding of the Sunnah through collaborative research and to provide essential tools to the youth to preserve their Islamic identity, values and culture in the face of diverse social and digital media influences.

He said that the Rehmatul-lil-Alameen Authority was mandated to coordinate with Islamic scholars around the globe to discuss contemporary issues faced by the Muslim youth and to present a coherent and logical intellectual response to modern challenges, in particular Islamophobia.

Prime Minister Imran Khan laid emphasis on teaching ethics in schools in order to help build character of the Muslim youth, in accordance with the principles and the true spirit of Islam.

In this regard, he highlighted the importance of the role of print, digital and electronic media and the influence of their content on the lifestyle and personality development of the young generation.

During the session, the prime minister invited constructive ideas from the envoys and hoped for active collaboration among Muslim countries, both at governmental level, as well as through interaction among scholars and academia. Several envoys of the Muslim countries appreciated the initiative of the prime minister and shared the ideals of his endeavor.

They also acknowledged the prime minister’s vocal support for the cause of Muslim Ummah at every international forum, and assured all possible cooperation.

Pakistan facilitating foreign investors through ‘ease of doing business’ policy: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said the government was extending all possible support to foreign investors through the policy of ‘ease of doing business’.

The prime minister expressed these views in a meeting with his Finance Adviser Shaukat Fayaz Tarin and Commerce Adviser Razak Dawood.

The prime minister emphasized on improving trade with regional countries, which he said, would help increase exports.

Shaukat Tarin briefed the prime minister on the overall economic situation.

Razak Dawood apprised the prime minister about his recent visit to Turkmenistan for improving connectivity in the region for maximum economic gains.

He also informed about his upcoming visit to Iran and its importance in improving prospects of regional connectivity and bilateral trade between the two countries.