'Prime Minister' Imran Khan to India 'I Am Not A Villain'

Trans Asia News

ISLAMABAD: With the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) winning a majority of the national and provincial seats in the General Election 2018, its chief Imran Khan on Thursday spelled out his policies terming Kashmir as main issue with India that needs once and for all solution.

Pakistan's World Cup winning-captain on the cricket field started his second innings with a flourish as he addressed his nation - and the world - from Islamabad saying that in his "new Pakistan" accountability will begin from him and his electoral representatives.

Khan promised to deliver to the common people and not resort to retaliatory measures against his political rivals, a usual trend in Pakistan.

"We will set a precedence of supremacy of law." "We will introduce a system of law which will be applicable to everyone alike." "We will build the institutions that will rectify the system of governance of the country," he added.

"Investment will not come to Pakistan unless the system of governance in Pakistan is rectified," Imran asserted.

NO BOLLYWOOD VILLAIN

Imran Khan highlighted pointers on his foreign policy terming it 'a huge problem' and affirming to build improved links with the neighbouring states.

"Foreign policy is a huge problem for us as a country right now. We need better relations with our neighbours so we can focus on nation building," he stated.

Going into discourse about one of the most significant challenges that stand in the way of the country's foreign plan, Imran Khan stated: "As far as India is concerned; I was disappointed with how Indian media portrayed me in the past few weeks. As a villain in a Bollywood film. It seemed like India feared everything bad would happen if Imran Khan came into power. I am the Pakistani who has the most familiarity with India as I have travelled through India because of my cricket."

A PERMEANT SOLUTION FOR KASHMIR

"The unfortunate truth is that Kashmir is a core issue, our biggest contention. The human rights violations over 30 years; and the people of Kashmir have suffered massively. We are stuck at square one. The leadership of Pakistan and India now need to come to the table and get done with the issue of Kashmir once and for all. If India takes one step towards us we will take two steps toward them. Right now it is one-sided where India is constantly just blaming us."

I say this with conviction, this will be the most important thing for the subcontinent, for both countries to have a friendship.

ENSURE SUCCESS OF CEPEC

Regarding the country's relations with China, Khan avowed to ensure CPEC thrives, saying: "We will strengthen and improve our relations with China. We want to work towards success of CPEC. We also want to send teams to learn poverty alleviation from China. How to lift our most poor who can't even eat two meals a day."

We want to learn from China how they brought 700 million people out of poverty ... The other thing we can learn from China is ... the measures they have taken against corruption, how they have arrested more than 400 ministers there.

OPEN BORDER SYSTEM WITH AFGHANISTAN

Treading ahead, the PTI supremo appeared to be determined in improved relations with Afghanistan. "Afghanistan is that neighbour of ours that has seen the most human misery and damage in the name of wars. The people of Afghanistan need peace, and Pakistan wants peace in Afghanistan. We want to work in every possible way to ensure peace in Afghanistan. I would love an open border system like the EU with Afghanistan," he stated.

HELP END WARS RATHER THAN BEING USED FOR THEM

Moreover, he also touched upon the country's links with Iran and Saudi Arabia aiming to enhance affairs with them. We want to improve our relations with Iran and Saudi Arabia both. "We want to work as a reconciliation facilitator in the region. That country that works towards ending wars rather than being used for them."

UNITED STATES

Talking about the country's associations with the United States, Khan stated: With the US, we want to have a mutually beneficial relationship ... up until now, that has been one way, the US thinks it gives us aid to fight their war ... we want both countries to benefit, we want a balanced relationship.

NAYA PAKISTAN

Imran further said that "we will run this country like it has never been run before", and added that he pledges to guard the wealth and taxes of the people. He also said he will not live in the Prime Minister's House but a simple, non-extravagant residence in the Minister's Enclave.

He thanked the nation for stepping out to vote in the July 25 polls, adding that he also wanted to commend the armed forces. "Brave soldiers lost their lives during polling duty, he said.

He termed the election-2018 "historical", saying that he been finally given a chance to "change the fate of the country".

Once flamboyant cricketer thanked Allah for giving him chance to introduce his policies, which he said, are based on the Holy Prophet (PBUH)'s teachings.

"I want to tell the nation about the kind of Pakistan I want to see," he said.

The cricketer-turned-politician, who began his political struggle 22 years ago, added, "God has given me the chance to make my dream come true."

"All my policies will focus on strengthening the weak," he emphasised adding that his government will develop a tax culture that shows people that their money is being spent on them and not being stolen.