Imran Khan No-Trust Vote Highlights: Threat to Pakistan PM’s life, claims minister; Khan says won’t resign

Ahead of Sunday's no-trust motion against him, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said a "powerful country", which is supporting India, is angry with Pakistan because of his recent visit to Russia to meet President Vladimir Putin.
       

Addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue, Khan emphasised that an independent foreign policy was crucial for the country, and said the reason why Pakistan could not touch its peak potential was its dependency syndrome on other powerful nations.

"A county without an independent foreign policy remains unable to secure the interests of its people," he said. --PTI

Does Pakistan PM Imran Khan have the numbers to stay in power? 


What happens if Imran Khan loses the no-trust vote? Find out here!

"Security agencies have reported that a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Imran Khan has been hatched. Following these reports, the security of the Prime Minister has been beefed up as per the government decision," Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry tweeted Friday.

His statement came a week after similar claims were made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Faisal Vawda who had said that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate Khan over his refusal to "sell the country".

Khan has claimed that a foreign conspiracy was afoot to oust him, the evidence of which he claims is in a  "conspiracy letter" that mentions the no-confidence motion, even before it was filed in Parliament. 

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— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) April 1, 2022

Pakistan summoned a senior US diplomat and lodged a strong protest over America's alleged 'interference' in its internal affairs, according to media reports on Friday. 

The US State Department on Thursday firmly rejected embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan's remarks over Washington's role in an alleged “foreign conspiracy” to oust him from power. 

In a live address to the nation, 69-year-old Khan discussed a 'threat letter' and termed it as part of a foreign conspiracy to remove him as he was not acceptable for following an independent foreign policy. He named the US as the country behind the threat letter in what appeared to be a slip of tongue. 

Dunya News quoted sources as saying that the US diplomat was summoned by the Foreign Office (FO) over a “threatening letter” that warned of dire consequences if the Opposition's no-confidence motion against Khan failed. The step was taken after a decision by Pakistan's National Security Council (NSC) on Thursday. 

The Foreign Office also handed over a letter of protest to the US diplomat over the language used by a foreign official during a formal communication. The US diplomat has been told that 'interference in Pakistan's internal affairs is unacceptable', the report said. 

The NSC decided to issue the strong demarche to the “country” that, in an interaction, expressed displeasure at Pakistan's policy on Ukraine and subsequently Pakistan's Ambassador to the US Masood Khan sent a letter to the Foreign Office on the issue. (PTI)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in what appeared to be a slip of tongue, on Thursday named the United States as the country behind ‘threat letter' that purportedly showed “evidence” of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government. 

"The letter stated that the no-confidence motion was being tabled even before it was filed, which means the Opposition was in contact with them," Khan alleged in his address to the nation.

Khan, 69, said the memo was against him, not against the government. "...it stated that if the no-confidence motion passes, Pakistan will be forgiven, if not, there will be consequences." He stated that it was an "official letter" that was communicated to Pakistan's ambassador, who was taking notes during the meeting.

"I am telling my nation today that this is our status. We are a nation of 220 million and another country — and they are not giving any reason — [is issuing threats]. They said that Imran Khan decided to go to Russia on his own even though the Foreign Office and the military leadership was consulted. Our ambassador told them that the decision [to visit Russia was made after consultations] but they are denying it and saying that 'it was only because of Imran Khan and that our ties cannot be good if he stays.' What they are actually saying is that they have no issue with the people who will replace Imran Khan," he said. (PTI)

The United States on Thursday said that it supports the constitutional process and rule of law in Pakistan but flatly denied allegations of the Pak Prime Minister Imran Khan that it is interfering in its internal affairs.

“We are closely following developments in Pakistan. We respect, we support Pakistan's constitutional process and the rule of law,” State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.

“But when it comes to those allegations, there is no truth to them,” Price said when asked that Khan in his speech said that there was a threat letter that perfectly shows evidence of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government. “In what appeared to be a slip of tongue, he named the US as the country behind the threat,” the reporter said. (PTI)

Pakistan Peoples' Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that there is no safe passage for Imran Khan now. 'Only Imran's resignation is the honourable exit for him. I suggest him do so.' He said that Imran's attempt to polarise and scandalise the national security forums and institutions is outrageous. 

'Our information is that one of the ministers got this so-called 'threat' letter written and posted to him. Then that minister showed this letter to Imran Khan. Imran waved this letter in a public gathering and tried to use it in his favour to run away from the constitutional process. Imran is trying to pressurise and make the institutions disputed,” he added.

'Honestly this man (Imran) is on a rampage. He has to be gagged or muzzled before he makes a joke out of the country,' opposition Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz said in a tweet in reaction to Imran Khan's live address to the nation on Thursday. 'This man is consistently proving that he does not deserve this highest office. Instead of crying before everyone he should muster some courage and resign if some grace is left in him,” she added. (PTI)

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— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) March 31, 2022

Sharat Sabharwal writes: "The no-confidence motion, however, does not signal a consolidation of democracy in Pakistan. Recent events, if anything, reaffirm the army’s supremacy. Their support brought Imran Khan to power and warded off threats from his opponents and their “neutrality” has placed him on a slippery slope. As the numbers game turned decisively against Khan on March 30, Bajwa met both him and President Arif Alvi, signalling that he was not a disinterested bystander.

Though Imran Khan has proved to be utterly inept, his fate begs the question — yet again — whether any prime minister, even the most competent one, can succeed in Pakistan without a radical shift in its internal and external orientation. The civil-military imbalance ends up paralysing every prime minister."

With two key allies — Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) — pulling out of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition government in Pakistan, trouble continues to mount for Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has already lost the majority in the country’s 342-member National Assembly.

"People saying Imran Khan will resign. If you know me from my cricket days, I am not the one to accept defeat. I will fight till the last ball, and whatever be the result of Sunday's vote, I'll come back with more strength," says Imran Khan.

Imran Khan says three stooges in Pakistan are working with foreign powers. He alleges that the letter has more threatening content than what he is revealing in his address.

In his address to the nation, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claims that a foreign nation sent a message to them (Pakistan) that Imran Khan needs to be removed else Pakistan will suffer consequences.

#WATCH | Islamabad: In his address to the nation, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan claims that a foreign nation sent a message to them (Pakistan) that Imran Khan needs to be removed else Pakistan will suffer consequences. pic.twitter.com/aTGUh9HqSe

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2022

Imran Khan alleges that a foreign country is working against an elected PM (Imran Khan). "The letter says that if Imran Khan remains the PM, we won't forgive Pakistan," Imran Khan refers to a communication that he shared with his cabinet members on Wednesday.

"When India changed Kashmir’s status, only then I spoke against India. Before that I made all efforts to befriend India," Imran Khan said

"Ever since I formed the government, I have been saying Pakistan's foreign policy should be for the Pakistan's people. But, that never meant "enmity" with other nations," Imran Khan says. 

"I've seen Pakistan's ups and downs. There was a time Pakistan was a model country, and I've seen it being maligned," says Imran Khan.

Addressing the nation, PM Imran Khan said, "I'm fortunate that God gave me everything-fame, wealth, everything. I don't need anything today, he gave me everything for which I am very thankful. Pakistan is only 5 yrs older than me, I'm from the 1st generation of country to be born after independence."

Pakistan PM Imran Khan addresses nation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi are holding an important meeting, leading to a delay in PM's address to the nation which was scheduled for 7:15 pm (Pakistan local time), Pakistan's Dunya News reported.

PM Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi are holding an important meeting, leading to a delay in PM's address to the nation earlier scheduled for 7:15 pm (local time): Pakistan's Dunya News

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2022

"PTI Chairmperson Imran Khan has issued notices to deviant members," Fawad Chaudhry tweeted.

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— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 31, 2022

With two key allies — Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) — pulling out of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition government in Pakistan, trouble continues to mount for Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has already lost the majority in the country’s 342-member National Assembly. As he faces an Opposition no-confidence motion, moved by Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif, Khan is set to address the nation tonight.

The Pakistan National Assembly session, that was to debate the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, was adjourned till 11.30 am on Sunday, Dawn reported. At the start of the session, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Babar Awan moved a motion to adjourn the session so that the assembly hall could be used by the Parliamentary Committee for National Security’s meeting that is scheduled to be held at 6 pm.

With Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan virtually losing the majority in the 342-member National Assem­bly after defection of two key allies, backdoor efforts are underway to reach a deal between the premier and the joint opposition to dissolve the lower house, according to a highly placed source.

The highly placed source in the federal government told PTI on Thursday that backdoor talks between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government and the joint opposition are underway on the issue of no-confidence motion against Khan. --PTI

"Take the honorable exit @ImranKhanPTI . Too late for face saving, safe exit or NRO," tweets Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Take the honorable exit @ImranKhanPTI . Too late for face saving, safe exit or nro. Time to go. https://t.co/usam3PT6oA

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) March 31, 2022

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said either the Leader of Opposition will take a vote of confidence now or Imran Khan should face a vote of no confidence. "The joint opposite has 172 members in the parliamentary party meeting. “There’s no NRO now, just one honourable exit for IK. Either let Leader of Opp in the NA take a vote of confidence now, or IK should face the #VONC," he said.

The joint opposite has 172 members in the parliamentary party meeting. “There’s no NRO now, just one honourable exit for IK. Either let Leader of Opp in the NA take a vote of confidence now, or IK should face the #VONC.” Says @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/YPqYt1Tr1U

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) March 31, 2022

The US has asserted that it did not send any letter to Pakistan on the current political situation in the country as it sought to refute allegations of America's involvement in the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan-led government, according to a media report on Thursday. Pakistan's embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday effectively lost majority in Parliament after Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a key partner of the ruling coalition, joined the ranks of the Opposition, which had tabled a no-confidence motion against his government in the National Assembly. (PTI)

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has 155 members in the 342-member National Assembly, which means that they need at least 172 lawmakers to retain power. This gap was plugged by building a coalition government. 

The ruling government had formed a PTI-led alliance with smaller parties like Pakistan Muslim League (Q) — five seats, Balochistan Awami Party — five seats, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan — seven seats, Grand Democratic Alliance — three seats and Awami Muslim League — one seat. With the support of these parties and independent members, Khan’s government had enjoyed a majority of 179 members. 

But this came down to 178 after the Balochistan-based Jamhoori Watan Party, which has one member in Parliament, withdrew from the alliance on Sunday.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P)’s decision to join hands with the Opposition reduced PTI's total by seven seats.

Overall, PTI now has 164 members in its favour, whereas 177 members are reportedly expected to vote against the PM, Geo TV has reported. Khan needs 172 votes in the house of 342 to foil the Opposition’s bid to oust him.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is set to address the nation tonight, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Fawad Hussain tweeted Thursday. This came shortly after he announced that the National Security Committee (NSC) will be convening at the PM’s house in the afternoon.

Khan’s address comes amid allegations that a foreign conspiracy was afoot to remove him from power. On Wednesday, he had cancelled his pre-announced address amid rumours that he will step down and not face the vote, as well as a visit by the Army and ISI chiefs.

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— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 31, 2022

Prime Minister Imran Khan has convened a National Security Committee meeting on Thursday afternoon, the newspaper Dawn reported. 

Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Government of Pakistan Fawad Hussain said the meeting will take place at Khan's house. The NSC is the "highest forum for coordination on security issues", according to Dawn.

The National Assembly of Pakistan is set to convene at 4 pm Thursday. The members will discuss the no-confidence motion moved by Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Leader of the Opposition.

The United States has denied its involvement in the “conspiracy letter”, which purportedly “threatened” to topple Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government. “Allegations of US involvement in the no-trust motion and ‘threat letter’ to PM Imran Khan are baseless,” the US State Department was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

When asked about the no-confidence motion moved in the National Assembly, the State Department spokesperson told Geo TV that they respect the constitutinal process in Pakistan.

Khan on Wednesday had disclosed the contents of the "conspiracy letter" to journalists in Pakistan, asserting that the Opposition's move was part of a foreign conspiracy. 

Pakistan's Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday rejected reports about the army chief asking Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign. Chaudhry briefly chatted with the media in Islamabad where he was asked about reports regarding a meeting between Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and PM Khan. 

"Neither has the army chief asked for his resignation, nor will he resign," the minister said, confirming the meeting between General Bajwa and PM Khan but without giving any details of the key meeting.

Chaudhry compared the current political situation and the apparent weakness of the prime minister with the position of the Pakistan cricket team during the 1992 Cricket World Cup. "It is like the 1992 World Cup. Apparently, we are behind (the Opposition) but actually, we are not,” he said. Khan often refers to the World Cup that the Pakistan team won during his captaincy. (PTI)

Imran Khan is on his last legs as Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Pakistan Army has asserted its dominance over the country’s politics once again.

Until late in the evening, Khan was closeted with aides as rumours flew he might step down and not face the vote. Opposition leaders demanded that the vote on the trust motion be tomorrow. Amid this uncertainty, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. Gen Nadeem Anjum paid a visit to Khan at his home in the evening. Khan cancelled a pre-announced address to the nation. 

The Army no longer wanted to be identified with an unpopular leader – it is no secret that the Army and ISI put in much grunt work to get him elected and stitch together his coalition. What has Khan's relationship with the Army been like, and what led to the rift between them? Nirupama Subramanian explains

Pakistani opposition political parties have introduced a no-confidence vote in parliament seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan, largely on accusations of economic mismanagement.

The bid to oust Khan got a boost on Wednesday when a key government ally said it reached a pact with the opposition and then quit Khan’s ruling coalition.

Khan’s ouster is likely to bring another round of instability in the nuclear armed country, in which the military has a long record of intervening in politics. How does the no-confidence vote work? What happens after the vote? Read our explainer here

Pakistan's embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday shared some details from what he called a "foreign conspiracy letter" with senior journalists and cabinet members, asserting that the document was authentic. Khan had waved a purported letter at a public rally on March 27 and declared that a foreign conspiracy was afoot to remove him from power, touting the Opposition's no-confidence move against him as a testimony of “foreign funded” move to topple his government.

Khan first took the cabinet in confidence on the letter when Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefed the participants about it.
It was followed by a meeting of the premier with a group of journalists who were also briefed about it.

ARY News channel said that the letter was based on the minutes of a meeting of a Pakistan embassy official with officials of the host country. The details of the meeting were sent by the Pakistan ambassador in that country to the Foreign Office as part of internal diplomatic communication, which showed that the host country was not happy with the policy of the Pakistan government on Ukraine and its ties with Russia. (PTI)

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), which has seven members in the National Assembly, was the last big ally of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government.

But in overnight talks with top leaders of the joint opposition of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), Pakistan People’s Party, and Jamiat Ulema Islami (F), which continued into the early hours of Wednesday, the MQM-P signed an agreement to back the no-confidence motion against Imran.

The Prime Minister was scheduled to address the nation later on Wednesday (March 30) evening, but it was not certain whether he would ultimately speak. There was some expectation that he might announce his resignation. Explained Here

A key partner of the ruling coalition in Pakistan on Wednesday said it will support Opposition's no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, in a major blow to embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan who has now effectively lost majority in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference here, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a key ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition government, formally announced that it was joining the opposition ranks. "We want to make a new beginning for politics of tolerance and true democracy," said MQM-P chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

The Khan government effectively lost majority after the MQM-P with its seven members decided to join the opposition. Another ally of the ruling coalition, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) with five members in the lower house had announced on Monday that it had "accepted the opposition's invitation" to vote against Khan. (PTI)

Pakistani opposition political parties have introduced a no-confidence vote in parliament seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Imran Khan, largely on accusations of economic mismanagement.

The bid to oust Khan got a boost on Wednesday when a key government ally said it reached a pact with the opposition and then quit Khan’s ruling coalition.

Khan’s ouster is likely to bring another round of instability in the nuclear armed country, in which the military has a long record of intervening in politics. Explained Here

With news of one of its key allies siding with the Opposition in the upcoming no-trust vote, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ruling coalition is set to lose its majority in the National Assembly.

Pakistan has been on the edge since Opposition parties on March 8 submitted a no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Prime Minister Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.

The voting on the motion is scheduled to be held on April 3. Prior to that, a debate on the no-confidence motion will be held at the Assembly on March 31. Read More

The voting on the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will be held on April 3, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said Tuesday.

Rashid was addressing the media in the federal capital over the latest political situation after the Opposition parties submitted a no-confidence motion against Khan on Monday during a session of the National Assembly.

“There will be a debate on the no-confidence motion on March 31, followed by voting on April 3,” he said, adding that Khan would emerge victorious. Read More