No intention to arrest anyone including Imran: Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD, Feb 3 (SABAH): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhry on Friday said that the incumbent government has no agenda to arrest anyone including the former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan as it has no agenda of retaliatory action against someone.

Talking to media persons at the federal capital here, Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan at present was passing through the worst economic crisis so this was not time of infighting but to work to get the country’s economy included in the superior economies of the world.

The minister further said, in 2012 it had been agreed upon that population census would be held whenever the elections will be held. He said they have no plan to arrest anyone; however, if someone commits some crime; he must be held accountable as law is beyond all things. 

Meanwhile, speaking as chief guest at the launching ceremony of British Council’s report 2023 here, he said that Pakistan was passing through the worst economic crisis so, it was not the time to fight with each other but to work in collaboration to elevate the country among the world’s top economies.

In the wake of deep economic crisis being faced by the country, Ahsan Iqbal called upon all the politicians, irrespective of the party affiliation, to work as a team to come out of the crises. The minister also urged all stakeholders including the establishment, judiciary, and the politicians to put heads together to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the country.

Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has a huge proportion of young people who should be given the best socio-politico-economic environment to ensure a strong and stable Pakistan in next decade or so. He said Pakistan is celebrating its 75th years of formulation, but still its economy is so weak that it seems helpless in front of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to get few billions of dollars of loans.

“Corruption isn’t the major reason behind our failure because we are as honest as the rest of the world is and as corrupt as others are,” he said, adding that the main reason is disruption in the democratic system and policies.

Ahsan Iqbal said whatever the government system the state adopts, it must be ensured that there must be continuity of policies. He said that in order to empower youth, the government has launched an internship programme for youth under which 60,000 young graduates from across the country would get paid internships.

Similarly, he said the government would impart IT based skilled training besides providing an opportunity to another 100,000 young people to get technical and vocational training.