Imran Khan effectively lost majority in Parliament yesterday. (FILE)
A defiant Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that he will not resign despite losing the majority and insisted that he will play till the last ball and face the vote of no-confidence in the National Assembly on Sunday which will decide where the country will go.
In a live-address to the nation, 69-year-old Khan also 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.
Earlier in the day, the proceedings of the National Assembly of Pakistan adjourned till April 3 soon after it convened on Thursday to discuss the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The crucial session for the no-confidence motion started after much delay but adjourned till Sunday 11.30 am, after members of Parliament demanded voting on the no-trust motion, Geo News reported. The session was held with more than 172 members from the Opposition benches in attendance.
Here are the Live updates on No-Trust Vote against Imran Khan:
Imran Khan Won't Resign, Says "3 Stooges Working With Foreign Powers" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, reduced to a minority in the assembly and fighting to remain in power, today refused to resign and alleged that there is a foreign conspiracy working against his government. There are enemies inside the country who are cooperating with them, added Mr Khan, who has virtually lost majority in the 342-member National Assembly after defection of two key allies.
"We are getting messages from some foreign countries... They say that they will forgive Pakistan if Imran Khan goes," he said in an address to the nation this evening, amid a buzz about backdoor efforts to reach a deal between the premier and the joint opposition to dissolve the lower house.
- I will wait and see who all will sell their souls on that day
- These people are selling themselves, selling the country, its sovereignty. But people are not going to forgive or forget this. They would always remember that you sold your country.
- If you think that your conspiracy will be successful, I want to tell you I will fight with this. They can't do anything. I bear my own expenses, I live in my own houses, I don't have any factories (slams Nawaz Sharif)
- Allah has given me strength to fight and I will. I have come here after a lot of struggle.
- Three stooges are sitting here working with foreign powers. They want Imran Khan to be ousted and want this certain person to take this place and everything will be fine then
- But do you want someone charged of a fraud to lead you. There are 2 documentaries against these places
- These 3 stooges, during their rule, there were 400 drone attacks
- Nawaz Sharif met PM Modi in Nepal in a hush-hush meeting, as per Barkha Dutt's book.
- I have always said that we want an independent foreign policy. When you can't question who's bombing your country, what's your credibility?
- I am not against anyone. But my 22 crore people are my priority. So, Shehbaz Sharif says that I shouldn't have said "absolutely not", where were you when there were attacks on the country
- A lot of people said that this document is fake. I showed it to the cabinet, Parliament, senior journalists. There are more dangerous things in it, the things I haven't told you about
- This sunday there will be a decision if the country will go for a corrupt regime
- They say that I have destroyed the country but I have only ruled for 3 years. I can challenge that what I have done in these 3.5 years haven't ever been achieved.
- I am not going to resign. I will fight till the last ball
Here are the Highlights of Imran Khan's address:
- Pakistan has reached a "defining moment" in its history.
- 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 years older than me, I'm from the first generation of country to be born after independence.
- The aim of Pakistan was a great one. When I entered politics 25 years ago, there were three things in my manifesto - 1. Justice, 2. Humanity, 3. Khuddari
- I wouldn't have entered politics, hadn't allah put imaan (faith) in me. I didn't need to enter politics, I had everything
- When I was a kid, people used to cite our example because we were growing. Then I saw its decline, I saw it being insulted
- Neither I'm going to bow in front of anyone nor will I let my community do that
- I had/have a lot of friends in India and the US. I don't have any ill wills against any one. I just condemn their policies
- We were told if we don't back America , they will turn on us like a wounded bear. During 9/11, we said that if there's a terror incident in the US, we should help them but that wasn't our war to fight
- People said that we are US's collaborators
- So many Pakistanis sacrificed their lives, did anyone thank us for that? Did anyone say Shukriya, Pakistan?
- So many people died in drone attacks, 80 people died after attack in a madrasa
- When we said it's not our war to fight but none of our senior politicians listened to me because they didn't want to make the US unhappy
- So, after becoming the PM, I decided that our policy won't be against anyone. Our only contention with India is when the broke international law in Kashmir.
- It says if Imran Khan remains the PM, Pakistan's ties will them sour and the nation will have to face difficulties.
- They didn't cite any reason for all this. They say why did he (Imran Khan) go to Russia alone
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 years older than me, I'm from the 1st generation of country to be born after independence: Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Pakistan PM to address nation as no-confidence debate postponed
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was to address the nation Thursday night as debate on a no-confidence motion against him in parliament was postponed.
No Pakistan premier has ever seen out a full term, and Khan is facing the biggest challenge to his rule since being elected in 2018, with opponents accusing him of economic mismanagement and foreign-policy bungling.
The government is also battling to contain a rise in militancy by the Pakistan Taliban, which on Wednesday announced an offensive against security forces during Ramadan, which is due to begin with the sighting of the next new moon.
Debate on the no-confidence motion was due to start Thursday, but the deputy speaker suspended proceedings when legislators declined to first address other items on the agenda.
Pak Parliament session adjourned till Sunday without debate on no-trust motion against PM Imran KhanPakistan's National Assembly session was on Thursday adjourned abruptly till Sunday after opposition lawmakers demanded an immediate vote on a no-confidence motion against embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan who has effectively lost majority in the lower house.
As soon as the National Assembly session began at the Parliament House, Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri opened the floor for questions.
However, opposition lawmakers demanded an immediate vote on the no-confidence motion amid chants of "go Imran go".
Suri termed the opposition's attitude "non-serious" and adjourned the session till 11:30 am Sunday when the vote on the no-confidence motion is expected to take place.
Just In | Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's recorded speech will be aired at 7.15 PM (7.45 PM)
Just In | Pakistan parliament adjourned till Sunday, no debate on no-confidence vote against Imran Khan today
Imran Khan May Announce Early Polls If No-Trust Vote Withdrawn: ReportWith 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.
"Talks are focused on one-point - the joint opposition withdraws the no-trust motion against Khan and in return he dissolves the National Assembly calling for fresh elections," the source said.
No Pak PM Has Completed A Full Term. Will Imran Khan Join The List?Pakistan opposition parties are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, after MQM - a key ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) - decided to support their no-confidence motion. The demands are getting shriller ahead of a voting on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition in Parliament. The voting on the motion is scheduled to take place over the weekend.
The speculation around his resignation arose after Khan cancelled his address to the nation on Wednesday. But according to Pakistan Prime Minister's key aide - minister Fawad Chaudhary - the cricketer-turned-politician will "fight till the last ball".
Backdoor efforts underway to reach deal between PM Imran Khan and Opposition: Report 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 of news agency PTI.
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.
"Talks are focused on one-point - the joint opposition withdraws the no-trust motion against Khan and in return he dissolves the National Assembly calling for fresh elections," the source said.
Imran Khan Faces Difficult No Confidence Vote: An ExplainerPakistani 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.
Imran Khan chairs National Security Committee meeting ahead of no-trust votePakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired National Security Committee (NSC) meeting ahead of the no-trust vote.
The information about the meeting with NSC was shared by Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry. He said that the NSC meeting will be held at PM House today at 2 pm, reported Geo News.
Chaudhry had also said that Khan has decided to address the nation later tonight. Meanwhile, a debate on the no-trust motion against Khan is set to take place in today's National Assembly session at 4 pm.
Who is Shehbaz Sharif - The Man Who Could Become Next PM Of Pakistan?Who is Shehbaz Sharif - The Man Who Could Become Next PM Of Pakistan?
Shehbaz Sharif is the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.
If Imran Khan loses the no-confidence vote, a new government could be headed by opposition leader and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif, the brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. This indication was given by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday.
"Imran Khan has now lost his majority. He is no longer the Prime Minister. Parliament session is tomorrow. Let's hold voting tomorrow and settle this matter. We can then start working on transparent elections and the journey towards restoration of democracy and an end to economic crisis can then begin," the PPP chairman said at a press conference yesterday.
Imran Khan summons National Security Committee meeting ahead of no confidence votePakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), the highest forum for discussion on security issues, a day after he effectively lost majority in Parliament after a key partner of the ruling coalition joined the ranks of the Opposition which had tabled a no-confidence motion against his government.
The NSC meeting will be held at the Prime Minister's House, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted. The NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by services chiefs, key ministers, national security adviser and top intelligence officials.
Pakistan no-trust vote: Imran Khan To Address Nation TodayPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation later tonight ahead of the no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-led government, said federal minister Fawad Chaudhry.
Taking to Twitter, Fawad Chaudhry said: "Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation tonight".
The development comes at a time when Pakistan National Assembly is all set to take up discussion on the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan-led gov
IMran Khan no-trust vote: Pakistan National Assembly to discuss no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan todayThe Pakistan National Assembly will discuss the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during the Lower House Session at 4 pm.
The NA Secretariat issued the order on Wednesday night, with a discussion on the no-trust motion against the Pakistani PM on today's (Thursday) session's agenda, Geo TV reported.
Earlier, on Monday, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif tabled the no-confidence motion against the Pakistani PM. With this move, Imran Khan became the third Pakistani PM to face the no-confidence motion.