Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a massive public rally in the capital Islamabad Sunday evening, seeing an outpouring of support from an enormous crowd as he faces increasing backlash from the Opposition for the country's political crisis. PM Khan has called the rally the "biggest ever jalsa in the capital".
It was earlier rumoured that PM Khan -- facing a no-confidence motion in parliament courtesy of the Opposition -- might quit at the historic rally. Instead, in a massive show of strength ahead of the no-trust vote, the embattled Prime Minister told the gargantuan rally that foreign powers were involved in a 'conspiracy' to topple his coalition government.
"I called you here because attempts are being made to bribe people. They decided to dislodge our government by claiming that Pakistan is being destroyed. I challenge that no government gave a performance like we did in our three and a half years," PM Khan said in his marathon speech that lasted over 1.5 hours.
The no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan-led government, submitted on March 8 by a united Opposition that has banded together to oust the PM, comes at a time when many lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -- the Prime Minister's own party -- have come out in the open against PM Khan.
Imran Khan, 69, is heading a coalition government and he can be removed if some of the partners decide to switch sides.
Here are the Highlights on the PM Imran Khan Islamabad Rally:
I want to thank everyone who attended our jalsa today, especially our women, from across Pak, making it the biggest ever jalsa in the capital. Thank you also to all those who were unable to get into the jalsagah & were stuck on the roads; & my thanks to all our organisers.
- Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 27, 2022
In a massive show of strength ahead of a crucial no-confidence motion against his government, Pakistan's embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday addressed a mammoth rally in the national capital where he claimed that foreign powers were involved in a 'conspiracy' to topple his coalition government.
Addressing the rally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party titled 'Amr Bil Maroof' (enjoin the good) and billed as a "historic" event at Parade Ground in Islamabad, Prime Minister Khan said foreign elements are using local politicians and money to "mend the country's foreign policy" and asserted that he has a letter as 'evidence' to support his claims.
"Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money against us. We know from what places attempts are being to pressure us. We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest," PM Khan said in his marathon speech that lasted more than an hour and a half.
It took 3 and half hours to reach the stage. And I am talking about before the JALSAA started.
- Mir Mohammad Alikhan (@MirMAKOfficial) March 27, 2022
The number of people here now, it will take 5 hours to get home. Never seen such a powerful crowd. Every highway is choked.
Power Of @ImranKhanPTI
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday launched a scathing attack against the opposition parties ahead of the no-confidence vote and said that "three rats" are looting the country for the last 30 years. He blamed them for seeking amnesty for politicians, political workers who were accused of corruption.
Speaking at a power show in Islamabad, Imran Khan lauded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers for refusing the opposition's offers to bribe them in return for their votes on the no-trust motion. "I am proud of you," he said.
"The people of Pakistan stand with Imran Khan in saying: NO NRO!"- @SMQureshiPTI #IamImranKhan pic.twitter.com/Sfs7dJfq2P
- PTI (@PTIofficial) March 27, 2022
Amidst the political chaos in Pakistan, a high-level delegation of the Opposition party Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) on Sunday evening will meet the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), a key ally of the Imran Khan government.
Issues likely to come up in the discussion include the current political situation of Pakistan, a no-confidence motion against Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and other matters, sources added.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani PM arrived on stage around 6:05 pm to address the public rally at Parade Ground in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital. Pakistani PM has dubbed this rally of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a "battle for the future" ahead of the Opposition's no-trust motion in the National Assembly.
Pakistani opposition party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shahbaz Sharif today urged people to "topple down this corrupt government to save the future of the nation," Geo News reported.
Addressing the public through a video message, Sharif urged the people to join the joint opposition-led protest "Mehngai Mukao March" against Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led government.
The "entire nation is standing with Imran Khan," said Pakistan Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mehmood on Sunday at a massive rally in Islamabad.
Speaking at the power show in the national capital, Mehmood spoke about the corruption cases against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and said that the buying and selling of people's conscience is not democracy.
"The entire nation is standing with Imran Khan," said the minister.
"The people attending this rally today must support the truth and stand with Imran Khan," he added.
The show of strength by Imran Khan comes as the opposition geared up for a no-trust vote in the National Assembly to oust his government.
Man of the hour has arrived! PM IK has arrived #IamImranKhan pic.twitter.com/yV26aEQf8H
- Rabia Malik (@RabiaaMalikPK) March 27, 2022
Imran Khan Loses Another Ally Before Crucial No-Confidence Vote: ReportLess than an hour before Imran Khan's power show in Islamabad, the Pakistan Prime Minister has lost Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Shahzain Bugti -- an ally who announced his separation from the government, saying that he will vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against the country's PM. Read more here.
