Imran Khan outlines foreign policy goals, promises reforms in first speech after 'victory'

ISLAMABAD: As the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is leading in majority of the National Assembly constituencies, party chief Imran Khan made a ‘victory speech’ on Thursday evening, outlining goals his imminent government at the Centre will try to accomplish.

He began with thanking Allah Almighty, saying his 22-year long struggle has paid off as he has been offered a chance to fulfill the dreams he has had during his political struggle.

Mr. Khan paid a tribute to the people of Balochistan who despite a terror attack in Quetta came out and exercised their right to vote. “I appreciate the people of the country who rendered sacrifices during the election.”

– Quaid’s Pakistan – 

“I want to make Pakistan a country its founder Quaid-e-Azam envisioned,” he asserted, adding, “We will run the government in a way it has never ever been run before.”

“We want the kind of institutions which will even question Imran Khan and his ministers. Accountability will begin from us and then trickle down.”

“Our focus will be on on provision of justice, equality and opportunities. Those are the principles we want to work towards.”

 – Foreign Policy – 

“Pakistan needs better ties with our neighbors. Especially, we will strengthen our relations with China,” the PTI chief said.

About the neighboring Afghanistan, he said Pakistan wants peace in the war-ravaged country. “I even want open frontiers with Afghanistan,” he added. “Pakistan has been bearing the brunt of one-way ties with the United States. We want relations with the country based on mutual interest.”

He said he also wants better ties with neighboring Iran, adding Pakistan will play its role in resolution of the Middle East crisis.

About India, Mr. Khan said he was saddened over the way Indian media portrayed him. “Indian media presented me as if I were a villain of a movie. The better ties between Pakistan and India will bode well for the region. The two country will benefit from mutual trade as it will help elevate poverty.”

“Unfortunately, Kashmir is part of the problems faced by the country. There are blatant human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir. Effort should be made to resolve this issue at a dialogue table.”

He said his government policies will be to lift the poor; laborers, and farmers who don’t even make enough money to feed their children properly and majority of the children suffer from stunted growth.

Speaking about his commitments to the nation, he said he will focus on education and vocational skills to empower the youth. His focus will be on human development, he added.

“Anti corruption, NAB and FBR will be overhauled. The entire government will work towards helping our farmers and lifting them out of poverty.”

He also promised to adopt austerity measures and use taxpayers’ money for their welfare.

– Rigging – 

He announced he was ready to conduct investigation into the allegations of rigging in any constituency. In the previous polls when he pressed for a probe on the same pattern, his offer was denied, he recalled.