Thread by @sajjadhaider

cant wait #PMIKatUSIP @USIP

Lost my spot cause I got here just 30 mins prior the event. Hall already full. Still excited. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP

The team is here #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

It begins. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Opening remarks. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Starts with origins and of being a first generation Pakistani. Parents born in India. Pakistan growth in the 60s was high. Downward spiral from the 70s.

Wanted to do social work after 20 years of cricket. Social work isn’t sufficient. Politics brings about bigger change. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Corruption of the ruling elite has been bringing downfall of developing countries. Corruption and poverty relationship is important to understand. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Main issues faced
1) CAD
Trillion dollars leaving developing countries to offshore accounts or western countries causing more death than through other means. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

2) destruction of state institutions- Elite destroy state institutions or weaken them so they can avoid accountability while they loot.

Pakistan needs stability and peace for economic progress. And for that we need good relations with our neighbors. That why I reached out to India and made multiple gestures to them. Doing same with Afghanistan. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Never had so much advice on what to say to Trump. Laughter in the crowd. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Losses suffered by Pakistan include 70,000 people and over $100 billion lost and there was still mistrust of not doing enough. Worst phase between Pakistan and the US. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

tried to explain to Democrat’s govt a few years ago but they didn’t understand the situation and history of Afghanistan. Now it’s a lot different. US has realized the truth now #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Other parties have been ruling for 30 years as a mafia, not just political parties. Called so by the Supreme Court. PTI mobilized the youth via social media #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Economy now at a stable position for real improvement. To me, human development is our key focus. Education has a three tiered system and we are converting them into 1 system for all. Equal level for all. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Lowest tax to gdp ratio in the world. Convincing everyone to pay the taxes. It’s imperative they do that. challenge has been the mafia who in 10 years has increased total debt from 6 trillion to 30 trillion RS #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Half of our budget goes into debt servicing. We are encouraging industrial growth. In the 60s Pak industrial output was equal to 4 Asian tigers. Since then have dropped. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Our focus is on
1) Poverty alleviation
2) Industrial growth and exports.
3) Agriculture growth
#PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

US Pak relationship was a transactional relationship. US packed up and left after we helped them fight the Soviet’s. Slapped by sanctions, 4 million afghan refugees. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Then came 9/11 and I wanted to stay neutral because we had created these jihadi groups and now we were being told to tell them that your jihad is not jihad. And this was the worst time in our history. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Pak army was facing attacks from these jihadi groups and under pressure from the US Pakistan army went to the tribal areas. The collateral damage created the Pakistani Taliban. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Speaking with a lot of passion and energy. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

In 2014, the TTP attacked the APS and NAP was established to not allow any militant groups to exist in Pakistan and we are now disarming the 30,000 militants that have been in Pakistan. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Concept of Strategic Depth is over because it has resulted in our own loss. We don’t want to interfere with Afghanistan’s internal policies and government. Army is with all our policies. Peace with India and all else. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

I’ve always maintained that there is no military solution. Taliban wanted to meet me but Afghanistan govt didn’t want to so I didn’t. But we will continue working on bringing Taliban and Afghan govt to the table. #PMIKatUSIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Our government will be most plural. Want to support all minorities. We defended Aasia Bibi and helped her leave the country despite all the backlash. There still are problems but these will be fixed because of our conviction in the constitution and our faith.

Pakistani media is not as free but more out of control. They spoke about me getting divorced when there was no truth in it. Previous US ambassador said Pak media was out of control. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Due to media running false news about IMF and the rupee, there was a run on the rupee. We have 70+ channels in Pakistan. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

DR Afridi working at @SavetheChildren resulted in polio workers being killed. And now we are working on improving the NGO situation.

We need to focus on what the people of Kashmir want not what others want.
We didn’t ask for assistance to Trump, we asked for understanding.
#PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

PTI gained because of a free media and abundance of TV channels. We would never clamp down on media. Freedom of expression is sometimes the owners of media channels control what is aired. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Media owners will have to respond to where they get their guns and how much taxes they pay. We need to have an accountable media. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

People don’t realize the gravity of what may happen if there is a conflict with Iran. The Shia element is very cohesive globally. Consequences of the war will be immense. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS

Tribal areas are the most weaponized in the world who don’t allow outside interference and I explained that in Parliament in 2004. It results in massive casualties and destruction and I was called Taliban Khan. Terrorist without a beard etc now this PTM started and they

We’re correct about the destruction caused and they blamed the Pak army. We have injected massive funds for development. PTM charged an army post and hence there were controls but now after elections things will improve.

JEM and Hafiz Saeed - We want an independent judiciary system and you’re asking me to predict what they will do. Pulwama was done indigenously and yet Pakistan was blamed.

Final message - I want a relationship of mutual trust and of friendship of equals. Not a transactional relationship. Mutual interest of peace in Afghanistan. Aid has created a dependency syndrome and is a curse for Pakistan. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP

OBL issue was humiliating because our ally didn’t trust us. A dignified relationship is what I seek. #PMIKatUSIP @USIP #imrankhanatUSIP #imrankhanUSIP #ImranKhanVisitsUS