Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that although he

had "nothing to gain from politics", he had persevered in his

political struggle for 23 years to fulfil his responsibility towards the
Pakistani people.

He is addressing a ceremony held to celebrate the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-

Insaf's (PTI) 23rd Foundation Day — originally marked last week — at the
Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad.

A large number of party supporters, ministers, special assistants to the prime

minister and party leaders are attending the event.

PM Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in attendance at the ceremony. —
DawnNewsTV
"It's been 23 years since PTI was founded and we need to understand what
this struggle was about. Struggle is never a straight journey, there are highs
and lows. People get disheartened and leave you, [and] some come back.

"I had nothing to gain from politics. I had everything a person can have —
wealth, fame, respect. I could have spent my life just by commenting on
cricket," he told the audience.

But he said "a man of faith knows he has to answer to the God. The more you
receive [from God], the more responsibility you have [towards society]."
"This country was progressing so quickly when I was growing up. Our leaders
were respected by the world. But then this respect began to fade because those
in power, instead of thinking about the country, started caring about their own
interest.

"When a man steals, he harms one man. When a leader steals, he harms the
entire country," the prime minister stressed.

Citing the success stories of Malaysia and Singapore, he emphasised the

importance of implementing the principles of the state of Madina in Pakistan.

"The governance structure of Madina is the system of a modern state. That

became the foundation due to which Muslims ruled for the next 1,000 years.

"Pakistan was the only country that was built in the name of Islam and the
purpose was to establish a welfare state. But we strayed from that vision."

Recounting his political struggle, Imran said the PTI was initially written off
after some of its members "got disheartened and left the party".

"People made fun of us, called PTI a 'tonga party'," he recalled. "Your party
(PTI) is the only party that have struggled. It was not supported by a general,
or inherited.