Pakistan opposition parties demand Imran Khan's resignation, announce roadmap to oust government

Leaders of Pakistani opposition parties meet at a multiparty moot in Islamabad on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, to announce a joint action plan to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan's government. (Photo courtesy of Pakistan People's Party)
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Updated 21 September 2020
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Pakistan opposition parties demand Imran Khan's resignation, announce roadmap to oust government

  • Main opposition parties formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to start a countrywide campaign to hold new elections
  • They said they would resort to all democratic and constitutional means such no-confidence motions and en masse resignations from assemblies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani opposition parties on Sunday demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan to “immediately” resign as they announced a roadmap to oust the government during a day-long multiparty conference in Islamabad.
The country’s major opposition parties — Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal (JUI-F) — formed an alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), to start a countrywide campaign to remove Khan's government and hold new elections.
“The APC (All-Parties Conference) demands immediate resignation of selected Prime Minister Imran Ahmed (Khan) Niazi,” the opposition parties said in a media statement released at the conclusion of the conference.
In October and December, under the banner of PDM, the parties said they would hold public gatherings across the country and would a “decisive long march” toward Islamabad in January to overthrow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government. 
They said they would resort to all democratic and constitutional means such no-confidence motions and en masse resignations from assemblies. 
The PTI came into power in 2018, after defeating all major opposition parties in general elections. It promised to hold accountable corrupt politicians, fix the country’s fragile economy and create job opportunities for the youth.
The opposition parties, however, said the government has made the life of a common man difficult through “record inflation, unemployment and a flurry of taxes,” and demanded that it bring down prices of sugar, cooking oil, petroleum products and utilities such as electricity.
“The crashed economy due to flawed policies of the government has become a serious threat Pakistan’s defense, atomic capability and sovereignty,” they said in a 26-point resolution, as they expressed concerns over “increasing role of establishment in the politics.”
“The establishment should immediately cease interference into the politics,” they said in the resolution, calling for transparent elections without any interference of the armed forces and agencies.
They also condemned “censorship and pressure on media” and demanded release of arrested journalists and incarcerated politicians.
A number of opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of PML-N and former President Asif Ali Zardari of PPP, have been facing corruption charges, which they term "politically motivated and fabricated."

In reaction to the opposition conference, Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Sunday said that a "peaceful protest is the right of the opposition parties," but the government "would not allow any violation of law." 

In a tweet, he added that the conference was "a flimsy attempt" to put pressure on the government "to back off on accountability" as the opposition "has used politics for personal gains."  


Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers

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Pakistan PM calls for faster CPEC implementation, pledges security for Chinese workers

  • Shehbaz Sharif pushes expanded cooperation in agriculture, IT and mining under CPEC phase two
  • Chinese envoy reaffirms Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and economic development

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday called for speeding up projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pledged stronger security guarantees for Chinese workers and investments, during a meeting with China’s ambassador in Islamabad.

Sharif made the remarks as the two countries strive to launch the second phase of CPEC, a multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy initiative launched in 2015 as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

CPEC’s first phase focused largely on power generation and transport infrastructure aimed at easing Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages and improving connectivity. The second phase seeks to expand cooperation into industrial development, with an emphasis on special economic zones and export-oriented growth.

“While highlighting the importance of accelerating ongoing CPEC projects, the Prime Minister stressed on the need to enhance cooperation in agriculture and IT and mining & minerals,” said a statement circulated by the PM Office after the meeting.

“He also underscored Pakistan’s resolve to provide a secure and conducive environment for Chinese personnel, investments, and institutions in Pakistan,” it added.

Chinese nationals and projects in Pakistan have faced security threats in the past, including attacks by militant groups targeting infrastructure sites and convoys. Islamabad has repeatedly vowed to tighten security and has deployed special protection units for Chinese workers.

China is Pakistan’s closest ally in the region and a key economic partner, with CPEC widely regarded by Islamabad as central to long-term economic growth.

During the meeting, the prime minister conveyed greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, particularly on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.

China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Jiang Zaidong, reiterated Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s sovereignty and socioeconomic development, according to the statement. Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to maintain close coordination.