Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday congratulated foreign Pakistanis on getting the right to vote, saying that all future governments will now give importance to Pakistani diaspora and work for their convenience.
Addressing a function in Islamabad for the launch of a digital portal to enable foreign nationals to verify power of attorney, the premier said people protesting against the right to vote for non-resident Pakistanis and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were part of it. The status quo that benefited from the old “corrupt” system.
His remarks came a day after the government strongly opposed the opposition. bulldoze modification The Election Act, 2017, in a joint session of Parliament, thereby allowing the use of EVMs and granting voting rights to foreign Pakistanis. The opposition vehemently rejected the law, alleging that the government was trying to rig elections using electronic machines.
Editorial: The way the government passed the bill on electoral reforms is an insult to democracy
“Yesterday I was particularly happy that we have now included foreign Pakistanis in the democracy of Pakistan,” the prime minister said at the ceremony. He said the rights granted to migrants meant that “every government will now be obliged to value our foreign Pakistanis because they can now vote.”
When they vote, 9 million non-resident Pakistanis will vote for the government that can make their lives better. “So the biggest advantage would be that a citizen can keep an eye on the government through his vote in a democracy,” he emphasized.
The premier said he was also very pleased with the passage of legislation regarding EVMs, adding that rapidly changing technology is making the lives of human beings easier in all fields.
“So today there cannot be a more foolish mindset than to avoid the use of technology,” he said, adding that a government commission and the ECP had recommended the use of EVMs by 2008.
“But why were they not accepted? [Because] Everyone who benefits from the old system will never allow change.”
The prime minister cited other incidents where his government’s reforms were opposed, recalling that people “working inside utility stores” had obtained stay orders from the court after the government opened an investigation into thefts. Tried to automate my system.
The Federal Board of Revenue has also been unable to improve its revenue collection because those within the board oppose automation, stating that under the current system, “the money doesn’t go to the government, but tax collectors do much more.” are. its”.
He further added that FBR had been trying to introduce track and trace system to prevent tax evasion by major companies and businesses for the last 15 years, but was unable to do so. “Now after three years of efforts by us, we are bringing the track and trace system, which has been broken for many years, next week for the first time in the history of Pakistan,” he announced.