2020 to be tough year for corrupt mafia: PM.

PIND DADAN KHAN -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday, terming the corrupt mafia the biggest impediment to the country's progress, said the year 2020 would prove to be tough on the plunderers of national exchequer.

"Pakistan is set to witness an era of prosperity and development in 2020, while the corrupt should be ready for a difficult time ahead," the prime minister said in his address to a public rally here at the ground-breaking of Jalalpur Canal.

He said no country could make progress unless corruption, which was highly detrimental to institutions as it involved money ought to be spent on education and health of the common man, was not eliminated.

He mentioned that during the last 10 years, the corrupt politicians played havoc with public money that led to currency devaluation and inflation.

"We have no personal enmity with the corrupt mafia, who get united whenever caught. Bigger the dacoit, more the hue and cry," he said.

The prime minister asked the nation to support him in his fight against corruption and collectively defeat the mafia involved in looting the national exchequer.

He gave reference of the accountability systems of China and the United States of America for not sparing the culprits of corruption.

Imran Khan said the government at its inception faced difficult economic situation in shape of three times trade deficit, currency devaluation and high import price of petroleum, gas and edible oil.

However, the country at present had gained economic stability with the rupee getting stronger, and the exports, investments and remittances increasing.

The year 2020 would also be a year of job opportunities for Pakistanis, he told the gathering to a big applause.

"I always tell my nation to have faith. With the Grace of Almighty Allah, we have started coming out of the crises," he said.

The prime minister mentioned that Pakistan was blessed to have fertile land, and gold and copper reserves; however, regretted that such potential could not be exploited due to apathy of rulers in the past.

On ceasefire violations by India at the Line of Control (LoC), Imran Khan said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was making a failed attempt to divert the world's attention from the atrocities his security...