PM Khan blames opposition parties for record rupee depreciation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the ruling elite of the past is responsible for the current devaluation of Pakistani rupee as they laundered  money abroad.

The Prime Minister also wondered how the looter of the public money can be allowed to speak on the floor of the house. He said details are emerging as to how PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari sent money abroad through Hundi and Hawala.

“Ten billion dollars have been stashed abroad by Pakistanis,” Khan said, adding that Sharif family was also involved in illegal transfers of money.

The PM reminded PPP of revelations made by former US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice in her book about the role played by the US in the NRO between Musharraf and the PPP. He said the PML (N) was nurtured by a military dictator.

The prime minister appreciated the speeches made by his party members in the house on the budget. He also thanked the allied parties for standing with the PTI in the passage of the budget.

He said that a detailed package will be announced next week for the uplift of agriculture sector.

Speaking in the National Assembly, he said Pakistan has signed an agreement with China for cooperation in the agriculture sector. He said under this agreement China will cooperate with us in seeds production and technology transfer which will help bolster our agriculture production.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said we will expand the industrial base in the country to create job opportunities and enhance our exports. He said it is the first time after 1960 that a government has taken steps to uplift the industry.

“We have given incentives to the industrial sector and they will be given more incentives in future as well.

Imran Khan pointed out that money laundering is the biggest curse faced by the country. We have to meet the challenge of current account deficit.

He appreciated his economic teams for taking the steps that brought down the current account deficit by 30 percent. He said we will also crack down on the money laundering and the loopholes in the relevant laws will be plugged.

The Prime Minister said that the remittances have also witnessed an upsurge and we are also striving to bring more foreign direct investment in the country.