ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that the trajectory Pakistan is on would see it help poor nations of the world instead of “begging for financial assistance” itself.

He made these remarks during PTI’s rally in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) as part of his party’s canvassing for the general elections in AJK due on July 25.

The premier said a day will come when Pakistan would help poor nations. “Unfortunately, we have been seeking aid from foreign countries and never thought of becoming self-sufficient [ourselves],” he said. “No country can become a dignified nation when it keeps relying on aid.”

In an indirect reference to his recent interview with Jonathan Swan on HBO wherein he remarked in outright negative when asked if Pakistan would allow US bases in Pakistan, Imran explained that he would not be in a position to make the “absolutely not” comment to the United States, had his properties and assets been out of Pakistan.

The prime minister, without taking any names, took a dig at “a party leader whose all assets were based abroad [so he] couldn’t take a stand for the people he was representing, adding that “I can do this because I belong to Pakistan.”

He reiterated his allegation at PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif of faking his medical certificates and duping the system and fleeing the country despite being convicted by the Supreme Court.

“This is the war Pakistan is waging for the future of its generation,” he said, adding that countries where different sets of laws exist always remain in poverty.

“We are trying to bring the powerful under the rule of law,” he said.

‘We salute Kashmiris’ courage, determination in face of Indian oppression’

Lashing out at the Indian government, PM Imran said Narendra Modi was “oppressing the people of occupied Kashmir from but the Kashmiris have persisted with determination and demonstrated courage”.

“We salute you,” he told the people of Kashmir, promising that he would “raise the voice of Kashmiri people at all international forums”.

The premier said he was convinced that the youth of Kashmir would never accept a corrupt person as their leader in the general election on July 25.

He further said that the sacrifices of Kashmiris such as Burhan Wani were recognised all over the world, saying that such indomitable spirit was unheard of in rest of the world.