Imran Khan addressed the nation after the no-trust vote was rejected
It is the people of Pakistan who must determine the destiny of the nation, Prime Minister Imran Khan said today while calling for fresh elections after a no-trust motion against his government was dismissed on grounds of national security.
In a televised address minutes after Qasim Suri, Deputy Speaker of the Pakistan national assembly, rejected the no confidence motion in Pakistan national Assembly, Mr Khan said the conspiracy to topple his government has collapsed.
"The people should decide what they want, not foreigners. Buying people's support with money has resulted in this (situation). Put that money into something better, for orphanages etc. I implore the nation to prepare for elections. You will decide the future of this nation, not foreigners or corrupt people," Mr Khan said in his address.
"I have advised the President to dissolve the Assemblies. This a democratic society. Let us democrats go to the people. Let the elections be held, let the people decide who they want. A conspiracy from outside, and these corrupt people should not be allowed to determine this country's destiny by buying off people with bags of money," he said.
Targeting his rivals, he said they have spent crores to buy support, but all this expenditure will be wasted. "They should open orphanages and distribute money among people," he said.
"To my people, I say, prepare for the elections. You have to decide, not anyone from outside, not these corrupt people, you have to decide this country's destiny," Mr Khan said.
Opposition lawmakers, who were earlier confident of the success of the no-trust motion, protested after the Deputy Speaker dismissed it.
The Opposition parties needed 172 members of the 342-member National Assembly to vote in favour of the no-trust vote. They have claimed the support of 177 members, adequate to get the motion passed.
In the days leading up to the no-trust vote, Mr Khan had alleged a foreign conspiracy to topple his government.
"The United States", Imran Khan said in a slip of the tongue and then stated that "a foreign country" had sent a "threatening memo" which was against the Pakistani nation. The US has rejected such insinuations.