Imran Khan with a show of great power, no longer the decisive no-confidence motion

Karachi / Islamabad: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has rallied in support of the no – confidence motion. Imran’s demonstration took place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, through a rally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. Imran alleged that there was an attempt to overthrow his government with foreign money. Imran reveals that he has a document to prove it. Imran’s allegation was raised at a paper meeting. Imran lamented that the reason why India was ahead of Pakistan in all respects was because of the fronts that had ruled Pakistan for thirty years.

The rally, held at the parade ground, was attended by lakhs of people. Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed that 20 lakh people attended the event.

‘Corruption will not be tolerated even if life is lost’

In his resignation speech, Imran announced that he would not protect corrupt leaders or implement the NRO Ordinance that pardons them, even if his life is lost or the party is out of power. Imran enumerated every administrative achievement at the rally. When Imran spoke about the decisions taken to curb inflation in Pakistan and the announcement of a free treatment plan, his followers reacted with great enthusiasm. Imran Khan says he grew up studying abroad and entered politics as a cricketer with the dream of a new Pakistan. At the rally, Imran Khan slammed the foreign investment of Asif Ali Zardari, Pervez Musharraf and Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan declares that no matter who tries, he cannot be corrupted.

No-confidence motion tomorrow

The no-confidence motion against Imran will be tabled in the Pakistani parliament tomorrow. This was preceded by Imran’s show of strength. Though there were rumors that Imran would announce his resignation at the rally, which lost the support of the army, neither the party nor the leadership had confirmed it. But even before the no-confidence motion announcing that he would resign and hold early elections, several media outlets reported that Imran Khan was likely to be delayed a month before the opposition moves.

Imran Khan is making a big splash at the parade ground under the name ‘Amr Bill Maroof’ or ‘Join the Good’. Tens of thousands of people flocked to the rally. Imran Khan arrived at the venue by helicopter. Imran Khan declares that this is a historic day, not for the future of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party, but for the future of the country itself.

Meanwhile, various media outlets have reported that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has asked all major media outlets in the country to stop covering and broadcasting Imran Khan’s rally.

Several leaders of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party addressed the rally, citing religion and quoting verses from the Qur’an. Imran and his party have taken a similar stance on campaign songs. Imran is trying to stay in power by stirring up religious sentiment as much as possible and declaring that there is no other party that is strong enough to save Pakistan.

Planning Minister Azad Omar told a rally that he had told Imran to announce early elections. Various leaders have accused the opposition leader of trying to overthrow the Tehreek-e-Insaf party on the basis of ill-gotten gains. Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders say the world will recognize who the people are with when an election comes.

What is the challenge facing Imran?

It was a major setback for Imran that today the leader who was loyal to the Prime Minister also defected to the Opposition. Imran Khan did not pose a small challenge when a group of leaders from the party joined the opposition.

Yesterday, the Speaker did not allow the Opposition to table a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan with serious allegations, including corruption. The no-confidence motion was tabled by the opposition citing corruption, financial crisis and inflation. The assembly adjourned yesterday after paying tribute to the late assembly member. Opposition groups called for the beleagured PM to resign.

What’s the game?

Twenty – four members of Imran’s party protested against the government and walked out. It remains to be seen whether all of them will vote against Imran tomorrow. Imran Khan came to power in 2018 with the support of 176 members of the 342-member National Assembly, with the latest reports that 24 rebel MPs from his own party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and three parties in the coalition government will support the no-confidence motion. Hundreds of MPs from the opposition PML-Nawaz faction and the PPP support the resolution. The Tehreek-e-Insaf party has 155 members. Opposition leaders Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party (HPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari have joined hands to bring a no-confidence motion against Imran. Many media outlets are reporting that Imran Khan has no military support.

What is history?

In the history of Pakistan, no Prime Minister has ruled for a full five years. At the same time, Pakistan has no history of removing a Prime Minister through a no-confidence motion.

Who will replace Imran if he falls? There is no answer to this question in Pakistani politics, which has not learned the lessons of democracy for 75 years. In 1999, the military overthrew then – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and seized power overnight. Pervez Musharraf, the then army chief, became the country’s sovereign at dawn. Concerned neo-hippies and their global warming, i’ll tell ya.

No one expects any of the opposition parties, which are rife with corruption and abuse of power, to form a strong government. There are three main opposition leaders in Pakistan. Pakistan People’s Party leader Bilawal Bhutto, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Shahbaz Sharif and Pakistan Democratic Movement president Maulana Fazlur Rehman. No one thinks they have the ability or the vision to lead the country. Corruption stories of the past are a headache for all parties alike. In short, the current crisis does not affect the Imran government alone. This is the uncertainty that surrounds Pakistan as a whole.

Last Updated Mar 27, 2022, 9:19 PM IST