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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will take the nation into confidence on his government’s performance today (Wednesday).
The premier’s address to the nation will be aired at 05:15 pm. He will discuss the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government’s performance in the last 40 days. PM Imran took oath as premier on August 16 following his party’s victory in the 2018 General Election.
During his last televised address to the nation earlier this month, the premier termed the water crisis to be the biggest issue of the country. And sought assistance from overseas Pakistanis to help overcome it.
PM Imran said that it was crucial for Pakistan to build dams as failure to do so could be detrimental to its future generations.
He lauded Chief Justice Saqib Nisar for taking initiative for construction of dams which was the primary responsibility of the politicians, saying: “Experts say if we do not make dams we will face a drought in seven years. We have to start making dams from today.”
“I will safeguard your donations [against misuse],” he promised.
“If every overseas Pakistani donates $1,000, we will have enough to build the dams ourselves,” the prime minister said.
“This fund will only be used for building dams. I know not every overseas Pakistani will be able to give $1,000, especially the ones working in the Middle East. To them, I would say that donate as much as you can. But the overseas Pakistanis in Europe and the United States, I want them to send at least $1,000 or even more if they can,” he said.
The prime minister cited the example of Egypt, which he said had launched a similar drive to build dams using its own resources.
“They were not getting any external loans; no one will give us any loans from outside either,” he said. “We already have so many loans that we are finding hard to repay, so no one is going to loan us anymore. Pakistanis alone will have to build this dam, and we can. We just have to make up our minds.”
“I promise to you that I will safeguard your money,” PM Khan added.
