President calls for end to corruption

ARIF ALVI SAYS GOOD RELATIONS WITH COUNTRIES FORMS BASIS OF FOREIGN POLICY

President Dr Arif Alvi yesterday urged the political leadership to stand united and make concerted efforts to strengthen accountability, counter corruption and address economic challenges by enforcing austerity and playing their part in providing social justice, health and education to the masses.

Alvi, in his maiden address to the joint sitting of parliament after assuming office, termed corruption an ill that had badly affected the national economy and plunged the country into a serious debt trap.

The joint session, co-chaired by Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, was attended by members from both the houses of the parliament, including Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The president said Pakistan was facing challenges, both at the domestic and international fronts, and the biggest was a weak economy. The country has been spending a major share of its resources on debt repayment.

“The balance of trade is also unfavourable. There is a huge gap in the quantum of our imports and exports. The circular debt has increased to Rs1,100 billion [Dh32.4 billion] over the past few years and the value of rupee has depreciated sharply in recent months,” Alvi said.

“In my view, the concept of New Pakistan lies in promoting simplicity, discontinuation of unnecessary protocols and a corruption-free system. We should keep in mind that we are a nation which is under the burden of debt,” he added.