Uplifting poor segment of society, top priority of govt: PM

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has said illicit flow of money from poor countries to richer states is the biggest reason behind huge inequality and poverty in the word.

Speaking at the launching of UNDP's Pakistan National Human Development Report in Islamabad today (Tuesday), he said every year around one trillion dollars land illegally from poor countries to richer countries, while money-laundering of around seven trillion dollars takes place in tax heavens.

He said it is unfortunate that the richer countries have not evolved any mechanism to stop this illegal flow of money.

Imran Khan said this practice not only affects the living standard of the people, but also causes devaluation of currency that leads to more poverty in the world. 

The Prime Minister said the definition of civilized society is to how it takes care of its weaker segments and works towards reducing inequality and poverty.

Imran Khan said his government is the first one in the history of the country, which decided to go after sugar cartels and is determined to strengthen the Competition Commission of Pakistan to check cartelization. He said uplift of poor segments of society is top priority of the government.

The Prime Minister also lauded performance of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government for taking steps to significantly reduce poverty and improve human capital in the province.

He said now we are facing a very scary third wave of Covid-19 and he will personally talk to IMF to discuss ways and means to further protect vulnerable segments of society.

He also appreciated UNDP for its tremendous job to benefit poor countries in facing various challenges.