Live: Pakistan PM strategises with ruling party : Won't accept 'imported govt', says Imran ahead of today's no-confidence vote

 No-trust resolution filed against Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri

Imran Khan.: File photo

TT Bureau, Agencies   |   Islamabad, New Delhi   |    09.04.22  : The Pakistan National Assembly is all set to vote on the historic no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday, but indications are that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is adamant about making things as difficult for them as they can. Here's the latest on this story, according to Dawn. 

• No-trust resolution filed against Deputy Speaker  Qasim Suri
• Imran strategises with ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary group
• Opposition to bring dissidents into play only if needed
• According to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, the government will present in the Assembly contents of the 'threat' cable Imran has spoken of and seek a debate>
  

  Orders of the day for the session of the National Assembly to be held on Saturday, the 9th April, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.#NASession @appcsocialmedia @PTVNewsOfficial @PTV_Parliament @demp_gov @GovtofPakistan pic.twitter.com/5l6UlSHvN8

  — National Assembly of Pakistan🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) April 8, 2022

A defiant Imran Khan on Friday said he would not accept any “imported government” in Pakistan, expressing disappointment at the Supreme Court ruling ordering him to face the no-confidence vote.

The country’s parliament will convene on Saturday to vote on Khan as Prime Minister, following the court’s order. He is expected to lose, which would make him the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to be voted out on a no-trust motion.

In a live address to the nation, Khan asked his supporters to join him on the streets in peaceful protests on Sunday evening. "I am ready for the struggle join me in peaceful protest," said Khan, who has effectively lost the majority in the 342-member house.

“I respect the Supreme Court and the judiciary, but the apex court should have looked at a threat letter before issuing its verdict,” Khan said, repeating his allegation that a US diplomat had threatened a regime change in Pakistan. “I will not accept an imported government,” he said. 

He taunted the Opposition to announce new elections and face the nation with him. "That is why I dissolved the assembly because I want people to elect the new government," he said.

The Opposition parties need 172 members in the 342-member house to orchestrate the downfall of Prime Minister Khan and already they showed the support of more than the needed strength.

Now Khan faces the possibility of being the first prime minister in Pakistan's history to be voted out in a no-confidence motion.

In a landmark 5-0 verdict, a five-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday unanimously struck down the deputy speaker's ruling on the rejection of the no-confidence motion against Khan and ordered restoration of the National Assembly, saying the prime minister's move to dissolve Parliament and call early elections was "unconstitutional".

The court also ordered the speaker of the lower house to call the session of the national assembly on April 9 at 10 am (local time) to organise a no-confidence vote.

"I am saddened by the verdict, but I accept it," he said. 

Khan in recent weeks has talked about a 'threat letter' and claimed that it was part of a foreign conspiracy to remove him as he was not acceptable for following an independent foreign policy.

He said that he has a great wish that people could see the document but he refused to share it due to national security. But he shares its gist in his own words.

Khan repeated his allegations that a US diplomat threatened regime change in Pakistan.

He said that during the meeting between the Pakistani ambassador and the US official, the latter complained that I (Imran Khan) should not have visited (Russia).

"It is so shameful for the 220 million people of Pakistan that a foreign official is ordering the sitting prime minister of the country through a third person, warning of severe consequences and alluring them of forgiveness if I (Imran Khan) leave the office, he said.

He asked the people to come out and reject the foreign conspiracy to remove the government. "If you are not standing up, no one will come to save you, he said.

Khan once again lavished praise on India calling it a "nation with a great sense of honour".

"No superpower can force India to do anything against its interests. They (India) are buying oil from Russia despite sanctions, he said.

Khan also said he was not against India and had a lot of following in the neighbouring country. He said ties with India could not improve due to RSS factor and what they (India govt) did in Kashmir.

"Nobody can dictate India. What the European Union ambassadors said here, could they say that to India also?" he asked and added that they could not because India is a sovereign nation.

"I am not against anyone but first I will decide what is good for my people and I will look towards other people, he said. Imran Khan is not against America, and I want to tell them that we want equal relations.

He also accused the media of getting money to portray the situation in a positive manner instead of condemning the lawmakers leaving the government.

He claimed that PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif started messaging the US when he said that beggars can't be choosers' to show that he was ready to serve them (US).

Khan also told the people why he was not acceptable to the West. "My entire profile is with them (US) because they know me for the last many years because I opposed drone attacks and war on terror. I don't have money stashed abroad, he said.

"This entire drama is to remove one man, he said. He said that after removal of his government, whosoever will come to power will remain in fear that the government can be sent home after spending money.

Khan's address came after his nomination of Lt Gen (retd) Tariq Khan to head a government commission to probe the "threat letter" to remove the government fell apart after the general refused to lead it.

No Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term in office.

With inputs from PTI