In a televised address last night, Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan declared that he will not step down ahead of the April 3 trust vote, despite losing his parliamentary majority.
In his speech, PM Khan referred to his past career as a cricket player, saying, “When I played cricket for 20 years, the world and those who played cricket with me saw that I play till the last ball. I’ve never accepted defeat in life. Nobody should think that I will sit at home. I’ll come back stronger, whatever may the result be,” adding that he wants to stand the test of the trust vote so that the citizens can see “the faces of those who sell out their conscience.” To this end, he proclaimed that the country is at a “defining moment.”
Pakistan PM Imran Khan again lauds Indian foreign policy amid the Russian invasion of Ukriane; India is member of Quad & is importing oil from Russia while UK says we can't say anything to Delhipic.twitter.com/4ckFLztnRw
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 1, 2022
Furthermore, Khan reiterated that he had been threatened by a foreign nation that is working with the opposition to oust him. In what appeared to be a slip of the tongue, he said that the now-infamous “threat letter” was written by the United States (US). “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,” he claimed.
Listen his words carefully. Then compare these views with his latest anti-US speeches. @ImranKhanPTI said “I mean United States is vital for Pakistan. We fought wars together. First, war against Soviet Union then war against terror”. Don’t say “Ohhh my God” pic.twitter.com/jnaYwj6vWs
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) April 1, 2022
He claimed that the document threatened him specifically and not his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, alleging that it says “Pakistan will be forgiven” if Khan is ousted but will face “consequences” if the no-confidence motion fails.
"On March 8 or on March 7, we received a message from America...not America, I mean some other country..."
— WION (@WIONews) March 31, 2022
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his address, names America as the country, and then backtracks, saying it was "some other country" that sent a threat pic.twitter.com/GX3rXGWyh5
Khan informed that the memo was an “official letter” sent by the Pakistani ambassador, Asad Majeed Khan, following his interaction with the unnamed US officials. He also accused opposition leaders Shahbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, whom he referred to as “three stooges,” of being in cahoots with foreign powers.
In fact, even during an earlier address in front of thousands of supporters in Islamabad on Sunday, Khan had called the no-confidence vote a “foreign-funded conspiracy.” Along the same lines, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, Reforms and Special Initiatives Asad Umar said on Tuesday that a secret letter referring to a no-confidence motion against the PM was received before the opposition leaders had submitted the no-trust move.
Pakistan Trust Vote Coverage:
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan Loses Majority Just Days Before Trust Vote as MQM-P Severs Ties
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan Insists on Foreign Conspiracy With Alleged Threat Letter
- Pakistan PM Khan Succumbs to Pressure From Within Coalition, Ousts Punjab CM Buzdar
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan Claims “Foreign Money” Fuelling Opposition’s Goal of Toppling Gov’t
- Pakistan Interior Minister Warns PTI “Turncoats” of Early Elections Ahead of Trust Vote
- Pakistan Army Chief Bajwa Reportedly Asks PM Imran Khan to Resign After OIC Conference
- Embattled Pakistan PM Imran Khan Calls Army “Animals” for ‘Neutral’ Stance on Trust Vote
- Pakistan PM Imran Khan Scrambles For Support as Opposition Submits No-Confidence Motion
- Pakistani PM Imran Khan Warns Opposition of Consequences of Failed No-Trust Vote
However, an undisclosed senior government official told The News International that the letter was not a direct message from high-ranking American officials but rather a diplomatic cable sent by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US to Islamabad on March 7. The ambassador had allegedly provided “direct quotes” from the US officials regarding Khan’s stance on the US. The unnamed official added that he believes the letter was received just a day before the opposition requested the NA to launch a vote of no-confidence against the PM.
On Friday, reports emerged that the Foreign Office had summoned US envoy to Pakistan Angela Aggeler and presented her with a letter of protest over the US’ “interference” in its internal matters.
However, the US categorically rejected Khan’s allegations. US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said, “We are closely following developments in Pakistan. We respect, we support Pakistan’s constitutional process and the rule of law.” He stressed that there is “no truth” to Khan’s claims.
After US State Department, the White House also dismisses allegation by PM Imran Khan that Biden administration trying to oust him from power. ‘There’s absolutely no truth to that allegation.’ #AbsolutelyYes #AbsolutelyNot pic.twitter.com/Qr7WBToceh
— Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaViews) March 31, 2022
Khan’s latest address came just a day after his ruling coalition lost its majority in the NA after one of the PTI’s key allies, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), announced its withdrawal from the ruling coalition and vowed to support the opposition in the upcoming trust vote.
Khan’s PTI has 155 members in the 342-member NA. It formed a majority government with its four coalition partners—MQM, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), which respectively have seven, five, five, and three seats. Therefore, with MQM leaving the ruling coalition, Khan’s fate has likely been sealed.
However, the PM has continued his efforts to convince Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to vote in his favour. He has even organised another public gathering on Sunday that is being viewed as his last attempt to sway defectors and any other MNAs who may be on the fence.
He has also urged party members to refrain from voting against him and instead abstain or not attend the session.