ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani opposition alliance said on Friday it had agreed to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding it would also establish contacts with the allies of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to bring down the government.
The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance was formed by 11 opposition factions in September 2020 against the PTI administration. It held several anti-government rallies across the country but developed differences over its political strategy and lost two of its members.
The PDM mostly focused on political issues while managing its campaign, though it has lately started paying greater attention to the economic problems of the country.
“All parties in the PDM have agreed on bringing a no-confidence motion against these illegitimate rulers and contacting the government’s allies in this regard,” PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman was quoted by Dawn.
He maintained it was not politically viable for the allies of the ruling party to continue their support to the present administration amid rising inflation and other economic challenges.
Asked when the PDM would table the no-confidence motion, he said it was important to complete “our homework” first.
The opposition alliance had previously announced a long march to Islamabad, though it decided to revisit its strategy after a meeting between the top Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders.
The PPP had always favored a no-trust motion against the government, but other opposition factions preferred to pursue agitational politics.
While the PDM president told the media in Lahore that the alliance would continue with its long march next month, it was clear the alliance was ready to join hands with other political parties to bring the no-confidence motion and make it a success.
Pakistan’s opposition alliance announces no-confidence motion against government
https://arab.news/gtjmv
Pakistan’s opposition alliance announces no-confidence motion against government
- The Pakistan Democratic Movement says it will contact allies of the ruling Pakistan Teheek-e-Insaf party to bring down the government
- The alliance was formed by 11 opposition factions in September 2020, though it developed political differences and lost two members
Pakistani immigration agents express concern over US visa ban
- Trump’s administration is suspending immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries
- The pause will begin on January 21, a State Department spokesperson said this week
Pakistani immigration agents and members of the public expressed concern to US immigration ban on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump’s administration is suspending processing for immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, a State Department spokesperson said on Wednesday, as part of Washington’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
The pause, which will impact applicants from Latin American countries including Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay, Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Albania, South Asian countries Pakistan and Bangladesh, and those from many nations in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, will begin on January 21, the spokesperson said.
“It is a matter of concern,” said travel and immigration agent, Mohammad Yaseen, in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city.
“All these people who were waiting for a long time for their visas to be issued, they also had an appointment date, their visas would be suspended. They will be affected by this news and this ban,” he added.
A local resident and banker, Amar Ali, said the ban will economically dent Pakistan because many Pakistanis earn and send dollars back home which boosts its economy.
Another local resident, Anwer Farooqui, urged President Trump to reconsider this decision and keep Pakistan, which is a very reliable friend of the United States, at the same level.
The cable, sent to US missions, said there were indications that nationals from these countries had sought public benefits in the United States.
The move, which was first reported by Fox News, does not impact US visitor visas, which have been in the spotlight given the United States is hosting the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The decision follows a November directive to US diplomats asking them to ensure that visa applicants are financially self-sufficient and do not risk becoming dependent on government subsidies during their stay in the US, according to a State Department cable seen by Reuters at the time.
Trump has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown since returning to office in January. His administration has aggressively prioritized immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major US cities and sparking violent confrontations with both migrants and US citizens.
