New govt will need to take 'hard steps': Imran Khan

Lashing out at the incumbent government's performance, PTI chief Imran Khan has said any new incoming government will need to take "hard steps" to correct the country's course

"It's not easy to bring the powerful within the ambit of the law," he said.

Imran said Pakistan needed to focus on how to attract investment inflows into the country and investors should be especially incentivised.

He said government amnesties should only be provided to those who invest in the country's industries. Former prime minister Imran Khan has lashed out and alleged that the "real estate mafia" is the most powerful one in the country.

"You have no idea how much power they have," he said, claiming that the Lahore Development Authority had informed him about the scale of the corruption in the real estate sector and how money was sent abroad from illegal plot sales.

He said multiple cases were registered on the issue but the police and government departments were bribed and silenced.

Imran also said that state land was encroached upon in Islamabad and added that the state could only enforce its writ if a "powerful government" was present.

PTI chief Imran Khan has claimed that his party will return to power again and does not even need to campaign for the elections.

"The condition of the country points towards voting for the PTI. The more the government delays [the announcement of general elections], the more beneficial it will be for the PTI."

He said fair and free elections were needed immediately to lift the country out of the current economic turmoil and restore stability and confidence. "A government needs to come with a clear majority so that it can take bold decisions," Imran added.

PTI chief Imran Khan has claimed that he still does not understand what those allegedly behind his government's ouster were seeking when Pakistan had come out of multiple crises.

"When we found out about the conspiracy [to remove my government], I sent Shaukat Tarin to tell the neutrals that the economy would be impacted because of the political destabilisation," he said.

Imran subsequently criticised the Sharif and Zardari families, asking why they were "brought in to handle the country's affairs", pointing to the track record of their governments in the 90s.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has said that it was "very hard" for his party to survive in its first year in government and credited Saudi Arabia, China and the United Arab Emirates for their help.

Addressing a seminar via video link, he said their help was "essential for us to survive".

Recalling the challenges that his government faced, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, Imran said he was "proud" of his team for how it tackled the issues.

PTI chief Imran Khan has held several meetings on Tuesday, some of which notably include Punjab Home Minister Omar Sarfraz Cheema and Accountability Adviser Musaddiq Abbasi.

The meeting comes just days before the PTI marchers' planned arrival in Rawalpindi.

The party's official account posted a photo of the two officials meeting Imran, who had his injured leg on a futon.