Pakistan was not created to make Nawaz, Zardari rich.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday once again slammed the opposition for their alleged loot and plunder of the national wealth, saying Pakistan was not created to make PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairman Asif Zardari rich.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of a newly established block at the University of Malakand in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the prime minister said that over the last 30 years, corrupt leaders continued to steal money from the national kitty. "The thieves themselves don't know how much they have stolen from the country," he said, adding that it is the stolen wealth that has compelled their sons and daughters to lie to the public. "What's the use of amassing wealth [through unfair means] when you have to either end up in the hospital or in jails," he said.

Imran Khan said that the PML-N repaid Rs 20,000 billion worth of loans, together with interest, in two-and-a-half years, while the PTI government repaid loans worth Rs 35,000 billion, with interest, within the same timeframe. "Our friends helped us out, so we saved the country from becoming a defaulter," he said, adding that when so much money goes into repayment of loans, nothing is left in the national exchequer to invest in education, hospitals or construction of roads.

The prime minister said the country's wealth has been stolen for the past 30 years and its plunderers had either taken shelter in hospitals or fled away abroad to escape accountability. Happiness, he remarked, could only be achieved by following the right path and serving people with dedication and commitment. He said there is no shortcut in life for achieving goals and all objectives could be achieved through hard work and professionalism, adding that an aimless life destroys potential of individuals.

Imran Khan said Pakistan possessed all the potential to become a developed country and great responsibility lies on the educational institutions by bringing intellectual revolution among students as per Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal's vision. He said the government is focusing on mega development projects to generate economic and financial resources. In addition to two mega projects of Bhasha and Mohmand dams to meet energy needs, Ravi and Business Cities are also being established in Lahore with potential to generate Rs 6000 billion revenue and promote economic activities, he said. The priority, he said, is being given to the construction industry keeping in view its enormous potential to...