In his first televised speech, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, talked about the economic challenges the country is facing and his plans for the next five years of his government.
Mr Khan said the country will begin an austerity drive to reduce debt, beginning with a campaign to sell his office's fleet of bullet-proof cars.
"We have formed a bad habit of living on loans and aid from other countries. We don't even feel bad about going to people to ask for money. Sometimes we ask a country for money or take loans from somewhere. Now we have to take loans from the IMF. Look, no country can prosper like this. A country must stand on its own feet."
"We will tell you how much of people's money we have saved every day. But when we save money it is your responsibility to pay taxes. Think of this as a Jihad, you need to pay tax for the honour of your country," he added.
"I want to tell my people, I will say it in front of all of you, I will live a simple life. I have to keep these guards due to security reasons. I will save every penny of your money."
Khan set out his vision for a ‘New Pakistan’, about the need to reshape the country by introducing an Islamic welfare system, reducing poverty and slashing high debt levels.
"No country can prosper like this. A country must stand on its own feet.
Source: AP/K.M. Chaudary
In the television speech he also criticised what he called the colonial-era mindset and lavish lifestyles of Pakistan’s ruling elite, and said that he would live in a three-bedroom house instead of the palatial prime minister's residence.
