Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif censured Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying his “defeat was imminent” on Sunday — when the lower house is scheduled to vote on the no-confidence motion against the premier.
In a press conference, the Opposition leader said the only cure for an “arrogant and stubborn” man’s illness is to oust his government through the legal process — a no-confidence motion.
Shehbaz, responding to the prime minister’s allegations of a “foreign power” threatening to oust his government, said: “I do not speak on assumptions. I speak on solid evidence.”
Talking about PM Imran Khan’s address to the nation held a day earlier where he lashed out at the Opposition for “conspiring with foreign powers”, Shehbaz said he does not listen to the premier’s speeches as he had made “abusive language” the order of the day.
But Shehbaz noted that since he is the Opposition leader, he receives information from several sources about what an important personality has said.
“Have you no shame?” Shehbaz said in response to the prime minister’s almost 45-minute long speech. The Opposition leader said during the PML-N’s government, Nawaz Sharif condemned drone attacks on every forum.
In his address to the nation, the premier had claimed that he was the first politician to raise his voice against drone attacks and that no other politician had done it before him.
“His narrative of accountability has been shattered […] in the name of accountability, he took the worst political revenge against political opponents,” he added.
During the press conference, PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif telephoned Shehbaz, where, the former prime minister wanted to discuss the current political developments with his brother.
But cutting the call short, Shehbaz told Nawaz that he was in the middle of a press conference and would talk to him later. “I am in a press conference […] we are in consultation with our allies,” he said.
As the political tensions are on the rise and the voting on the no-confidence motion is right around the corner, the prime minister took the opportunity to speak to the nation and express his thoughts.
The prime minister’s long address included accusations against the Opposition and “foreign powers”, his 25-year struggle in politics, and the need for following Islam.
The PTI effectively lost its majority in the 342-member National Assembly Wednesday when a coalition partner — MQM-P — said its seven lawmakers would vote with an opposition alliance. Before them, several other allies had switched sides.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has demanded the provision of foolproof security on April 3, the day of the no-trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The PML-N chief, in a letter to the interior secretary, stated that PM Imran had announced that 100,000 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf supporters would arrive in the federal capital on the day of the vote, therefore opposition members should be provided with enhanced security.
The letter further said that the district administration and the police should “perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law” to ensure the security of the opposition lawmakers.
Shehbaz also demanded foolproof security on the day of the election of the new prime minister.
A copy of the letter has been sent to commissioner Islamabad, deputy commissioner and inspector general.
The joint opposition on Thursday demanded that the election of a new prime minister must be added to the agenda of the National Assembly session.
An application was submitted to the NA on behalf of Shehbaz Sharif, which read that a supplementary agenda should be issued to include the matter of electing a new premier in case the no-confidence motion was passed in the ongoing session.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that saying former prime minister Nawaz Sharif did nothing to stop US drone attacks in Pakistan was similar to distorting history. “My leader fought Pakistan’s case against drone attacks and this is all on record,” he added.
Shehbaz said PM Imran, after returning from US visit where he met with former US President Donald Trump, had said that he brought another Cricket World Cup home, adding that the premier has damaged Pakistan’s relations with many countries.
“China has always supported Pakistan in difficult times. Who propagated against CPEC in Pakistan? The loan for Lahore Orange Line was taken at 2 per cent interest rate, not 8 per cent,” he added.
Speaking about the “threat letter”, Shehbaz said that when it arrived on March 7 then why Imran Khan remained silent for three weeks. “When the letter was written by the US then why did you invite a US representative to the OIC conference,” he questioned.
The PML-N leader said that 172 MNAs were present in National Assembly yesterday to vote against PM Imran, hoping that the opposition would emerge victorious on Sunday. “When you (Imran Khan) are seeing defeat, now you’re threatening to bring one million people [for street agitation],” he said.
He urged the authorities to ensure a peaceful atmosphere and bring additional security on Sunday so that all members can vote without any hindrance.
“The administration will be responsible if any hurdle is created during the peaceful voting,” he said.
The PML-N leader said that he has called in a party meeting tomorrow following former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar’s resignation was accepted by the province’s governor. “All decisions regarding the province will be made with consultation.”
He said that Imran Khan had announced holding all opposition leaders accountable in corruption cases in 90 days. “They could not prove any wrongdoings against us during the last three years,” he added.
Shehbaz said that soon the opposition leaders would be in power and will bring relief for the masses, adding that he does not want to make big announcements ‘just yet’.
The voting on the opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan will take place on April 3 after the opposition, irked by the adjournment of the National Assembly session earlier in the day within minutes after commencing, accused the premier of trying to escape the resolution.
“On coming Sunday, it will be decided in which direction this country will go,” the premier said during a live address to the nation on Thursday.
Earlier, NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri adjourned the proceedings after seeing the strength of the opposition parties’ lawmakers, who repeatedly asked him to hold voting on the motion instead of proceeding ahead with Q&A session.
