Naya Pakistan. Let's track PTI performance for next 5 years here

[BetterPakistan]

Thought I shall create a thread to post positive news here.

Everyone is welcome to contribute here.

 

[Imran Khan]

yeah why not welcome . hope its work and we get rid of these goons .

my wish is stable economy
terror free
less spending more saving
more education
healthcare
power generation
and more factories and industry


even if we never build more roads or rails or buy planes we should have 100bn$ reserves and stable economy .

 

[BetterPakistan]

Imran Khan to take up residence in Minister's Enclave after shunning Pakistan PM's 'palatial' estate



Islamabad: A house in the Ministers' Enclave in Islamabad will be declared the official residence of Imran Khan, who is set to become Pakistan's new prime minister, as his private house is vulnerable to threats, according to a media report.

File image of Pakistan's PM in-waiting Imran Khan. AP

Khan's Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) has emerged as the single largest party in the National Assembly after the 25 July elections. Khan, 65, would take oath as the prime minister on 11 August. Khan, in his victory speech on 26 July, had announced that he would not use the Prime Minister's House as his residence and that his party would later decide the fate of the building.

Shortly after his party's victory in the elections, the police and the district administration started extending VVIP protocol and security to Khan. Security was tightened around Khan's Banigala residence, Dawn newspaper reported. Senior police officers visited Khan's Banigala residence and assessed the home and the area around it, including the hills.


The police officials said there was no standard operating procedure for the prime minister in-waiting, but since Khan is likely to be the next prime minister, necessary measures have been taken for his security, the report said. They discussed security issues with PTI leader Naeemul Haq as well as the chief security officer of the residence, it said.

Issues regarding the official residence of the prime minister-in-waiting also came under discussion. The officials briefed them about the standard operating procedure (SOP) related to the security and protocol of the prime minister, the report added. The senior officers also met Khan and briefed him about security and protocol. During the meeting, the district administration officials told him that his residence could not be provided foolproof security as the area was open and vulnerable to threats.


Earlier, there was an option to declare Banigala residence as Khan's official residence. Khan then agreed not to use Banigala as his official residence, the officials told Dawn. A few more options were also given to him, including using an accommodation at the Ministers' Enclave, which he accepted, the report said. However, he asked for the lowest category house at the enclave, it said.

There are flats which fall in the lowest category, but since necessary SOPs and protocol for prime minister could not be implemented there, the senior officers advised Khan against using a flat and instead prefer a house to which Khan agreed, the report said.

 

[Goenitz]

just awein...

 

[Path-Finder]

 

[BetterPakistan]

Smaller residence for Imran Khan to save Rs1.85b annually for Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and prime minister in-waiting Imran Khan’s decision to live in a smaller, simpler residence and not in the official Prime Minister’s House will save the exorbitant amount of Pakistani Rs 1.85 billion spent annually on the PM House.

It will also send a positive message to the masses that their prime minister is not wasting public money on a life of luxuries and protocol.

Khan has, in a number of interviews and press conferences, made it clear that he will neither stay in the PM House nor enjoy VVIP protocol after assuming office.

The cricketer-turned politician has also vowed to ensure that his ministers and provincial chief ministers, where his party is in power, also follow principles austerity.


Pakistan’s PM House, though a relatively new building inaugurated by the former deposed prime minister Nawaz Sharif only two decades ago when he was elected for a second term, is located on the main Constitution Avenue, covering an area of 135 acres, and luxuriously appointed.

The red-brick, heavily guarded building is modelled after the Mughal era palaces that housed royalty. The PM House features five spacious lawns, a fruit orchard, a number of swimming pools, a banquet hall, media and committee rooms. There are also 10 servants quarters, residences for security officers, staff and members of the Public & Works Department and police.

Inside the PM House, around 50 protocol officers work in their offices.

The security budget of the complex is around Rs980 million, while Rs700 million are allocated for PM House staff. Similarly, Rs150 million is spent annually on gifts for visiting dignitaries and guests, and Rs15 million on renovation and decoration.

According to the PTI leadership, four universities equalling the area of Pakistan’s top varsity — Quaid-e-Azam University (spread over 35 acres in the capital) — can be set up in the PM House.

Khan has, instead, indicated that he will utilise the PM House land for publicly beneficial purposes, such as education or health.

The PTI leader, in his post-election victory speech had stated his intention to set up house in the Minister’s Enclave rather than PM House. Later, it was also suggested that he should opt for the Speaker’s House instead of Minister’s Enclave.

 

[BetterPakistan]

Imran Khan tells Britain he will retrieve Pakistan's looted wealth

Imran Khan has told Britain he will retrieve wealth looted from his country and stashed in the UK by corrupt Pakistani politicians.

The former cricketer used his first meeting with British officials since his general election win to say he would pursue laundered money.

New anti-corruption UK legislation designed to target oligarchs and international crime could be used to freeze or seize property and assets if there is evidence it was bought with illegal or unexplained wealth.

Attacks on the greed of Pakistan's dynastic ruling elite have been the cornerstone of the populist anti-corruption drive which has swept Mr Khan to power.

He has denounced the political class for siphoning off money from public sector institutions and contracts and then salting it away overseas.

The issue has dominated Pakistan's politics since the Panama Papers leak linked former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's family to offshore companies and four Park Lane flats.

Sharif was ousted from power, then jailed for 10 years after a court found he was unable to explain how he bought the flats now worth an estimated £8m.

In the meeting with the High Commissioner, Thomas Drew, Mr Khan said it was “our firm resolve to bring back to the country the money laundered to the UK.”

The Telegraph understands no specific requests for investigations or seizures were made during the meeting, but on Thursday the UK said it would “work constructively” with the new leader.

The Government has brought in new legislation to combat money laundering and corruption as it tries to tackle London's reputation as a haven for dirty money, much of it from Russia.

Expensive London property bought through shell companies in weakly regulated jurisdictions has long been a favourite way to hide ill-gotten wealth for everyone from mobsters to kleptocrats.

A spokesman for the British High Commission said: “Tackling corruption is a UK government priority and we will continue to work constructively with Pakistan on this issue.”

He said Britain has robust laws “for the recovery of illicit assets where there is evidence to do so”.

The meeting also discussed British aid to the country.

Mr Khan's party back-pedalled on suggestions he would invite foreign dignitaries and international sports stars to his inauguration later this month.

Officials in his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party had earlier in the week met with foreign ministry officials to discuss inviting foreign leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Invitations to friends from Mr Khan's cricketing days were also mooted, including Kapil Dev and Sunil Gavaskar.

On Thursday the PTI said Mr Khan had instead decided “to arrange the oath-taking event with austerity” with no foreign dignitaries or celebrities.

A spokesman said: “Being the custodians of tax-payers money, we are looking forward to hold a simple and austere oath-taking ceremony completely national in its façade and essence”,

Meanwhile reports that a computerised anti-fraud system for compiling election night results had been deliberately not used led to calls for an investigation by defeated parties who have alleged Mr Khan won through massive rigging.

 

[BetterPakistan]

US hails Imran Khan's statement on Afghanistan, says ready to work with new govt


Listen

WASHINGTON: US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Alice Wells on Monday commended Prime Minister Imran Khan for his words as he discussed the importance of having peace on both sides of the border.

Wells elucidated; "We look forward to working with new government (in Pakistan). We are urging them to do more. We welcome (Pakistan Prime Minister) Imran Khan's words when he discussed the importance of having peace on both sides of the border."

Addressing a presser, she underscored that Pakistan has a critical role to play in the long-term stability of Afghanistan, adding; "We encourage Pakistan to take stronger steps to ensure that the Taliban comes to the negotiating table rather than enjoying safe havens in the country. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan embarked an effort to improve their ties for negotiating a solidarity document which we strongly support."

Throwing light on the Indian role in Afghanistan, the 55-year-old diplomat said ; "India is supporting the economic development of Afghanistan up to 2020.

She added that Washington wishes to build its long-standing commitment to the region and has taken important steps to ensure the region's future is free, open and operate in a rule-based system.

Wells informed that the US conducted USD 1.4 trillion in two-way trade with the countries in the Indo-Pacific region. She added that Washington made a major investment in strengthening security cooperation across the region.

 

[BetterPakistan]

Imran Khan sheds hundreds of servants and says Pakistan's elite must pay tax as his first cabinet is sworn in
‘I want to tell my people, I will live a simple life, I will save your money’


Pakistan is to auction off a fleet of 88 luxury vehicles from the prime ministerial protocol after the new prime minister, former cricket star Imran Khan, declared he would live “a simple life” in office.

On Monday, all 21 members of Mr Khan’s cabinet were sworn in in Islamabad, mostly political veterans to counterbalance the relative inexperience of the new prime minister himself who – at 65 years old – has never previously held office.


In his first speech as prime minister, Mr Khan announced he would pursue a policy of austerity, seeking to wean the country off its huge debts.


The former captain of Pakistan’s cricket team and playboy associate of the stars has remodelled himself as a pious figure in recent years – and he indicated that the country’s new path of austerity would begin with himself.

In addition to foregoing the scores of bulletproof vehicles that have protected his predecessors from the threat of militant attacks, Mr Khan said he would take only a small security detail and two domestic servants in place of the 524-strong staff reserved for a sitting premier.

Criticising what he called the colonial-era mindset and lifestyles of Pakistan’s ruling elite, the prime minister also said on Sunday that he would live in a small three-bedroom house instead of the palatial official residence to which he is entitled.

“I want to tell my people, I will live a simple life, I will save your money,” he said.

Mr Khan’s appointments on Monday suggested there was change coming too in the sphere of foreign policy, though he did not mention any specifics in his speech.

The new foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said there were challenges ahead in the way Pakistan deals with its neighbours, allies and foes overseas and that revisions to foreign policy would be made “in the interest of Pakistan”.

He welcomed a congratulatory message from the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, that expressed a desire for open and frank talks.

And he said he hoped to visit Kabul soon to deliver a message of solidarity to the Afghan government. “Pakistan needs a peaceful and stabilised Afghanistan,” he said. “Our future is linked to peace in Afghanistan.”

It was the new information minister, Fawad Chaudhry, who announced on Monday that prime ministerial vehicles would be auctioned soon.

And he also revealed the government is placing former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz on a travel ban list. They are appealing sentences of 10 and seven years respectively on corruption charges relating to the Panama Papers leak.

The appointments of both Mr Qureshi – a former foreign minister with the PPP party, and Mr Chaudhry – a former spokesman for two different parties – highlight how Mr Khan has been forced to draw on figures for his cabinet with political backgrounds outside his own PTI party.

Dawn, the country’s leading independent newspaper, cautioned that Mr Khan might struggle to drive forwards with his agenda when so many important positions are held by coalition partners.


And it questioned whether meaningful reforms could be achieved when the cabinet is dominated by old hands who, in the main, represent the political status quo.

The other key tenet of Mr Khan’s first prime ministerial speech was an appeal to overseas Pakistanis to invest in the country and for the wealthy to start paying taxes. Tax avoidance is a perennial problem in a nation where less than 1 per cent of the population files income tax.

“It is your responsibility to pay taxes,” said Mr Khan. “Think of this as a jihad [struggle or battle], that you need to pay tax for the betterment of your country.”

 

[BetterPakistan]

PM Imran Khan announces action against CDA ‘corrupt mafia’

Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that he will take action against the Capital Development Authority’s “corrupt mafia”.

The prime minister was given a report on the 10-year performance of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

“I will not tolerate corrupt elements in the CDA,” he said. He also directed the relevant authorities to solve the water crisis in Islamabad.

Islamabad, the capital of the country, has suffered a prolonged water crisis, especially during the hot summer months.

 

[danishsaleem]

Now Government office will work 9 to 5, instead of 8 to 4.

Good going, that will defiantly bring 200 Billion back.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

• First moved auction of excessive cars and ban on excessive food for politicians
• Reduction motions for expenses by political office holders

 

[jupiter2007]

• First moved auction of excessive cars and ban on excessive food for politicians
• Reduction motions for expenses by political office holders

How will he enforce 9am to 5pm rule? and eliminate ghost employees?

Also, defence attaché who work in Pakistani Embbacy in varies countries only work 5 to 6 hours a day, how will new government enforce this rule on them?

 

[Rusty]

Now Government office will work 9 to 5, instead of 8 to 4.

Good going, that will defiantly bring 200 Billion back.

#stuntedgrowth
I'm sorry Nawaz took all your money and your mama was unable to feed you.

 

[Rusty]

How will he enforce 9am to 5pm rule? and eliminate ghost employees?

Also, defence attaché who work in Pakistani Embbacy in varies countries only work 5 to 6 hours a day, how will new government enforce this rule on them?

They eliminated ghost employees in KPK.

Biometric tracking with better oversight of people.