ISLAMABAD: A long march led by the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), which rallied thousands of supporters from the city of Karachi to Islamabad to demonstrate against Prime Minister Imran Khan, concluded in the capital late on Tuesday night.
The march, which started in the southern port city of Karachi on February 27, was led by PPP co-chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and arrived on the outskirts of Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, coinciding with Pakistani opposition parties moving a no-confidence motion in parliament to seek the ouster of Khan over accusations of poor governance and the mismanagement of the economy.
The no confidence move is the toughest challenge Khan has faced since he rose to power in 2018. His critics have widely accused that year’s general election of being rigged. Khan denies this.
“We exposed him [Khan] in front of the world from day one, that he isn’t elected but selected, and we have been struggling against him since then,” Bhutto-Zardari said while addressing the crowd at Islamabad’s D-chowk, a famous gathering point for protesters. “We feel that democracy is the best revenge and we are sending him home through a democratic way.”
“The PPP has never taken any undemocratic step .... and we are ousting the selected through a no-confidence motion.”
Just outside Islamabad, Bhutto-Zardari had warned Khan: “Resign in 24 hours and face us in an election, or be prepared for a no-confidence move.”
Hours later, the opposition submitted a formal request requiring Khan to seek a parliamentary vote of confidence. The opposition needs a simple majority of 172 and says it requires just 11 more votes to force Khan out.
Critics of Khan, a former cricket star, say he has lost the backing of the powerful military whose support they say secured the path to power for his political party four years ago. Khan and the military deny this.
'Democracy is the best revenge': Rally calling for PM’s ouster concludes in Islamabad
https://arab.news/4yd3g
'Democracy is the best revenge': Rally calling for PM’s ouster concludes in Islamabad
- The march started in Karachi on February 27 and was led by opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari
- It’s arrival in capital coincided with opposition parties moving no-confidence motion seeking Khan’s ouster
Pakistan PM speaks to UAE president, calls for enhanced cooperation
- Shehbaz Sharif lauds UAE’s economic support in challenging times
- Both leaders discuss a range of issues, agree to stay in close contact
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday praised the United Arab Emirates for what he described as steadfast financial and political support during Islamabad’s recent economic crisis, as both sides signaled plans to deepen bilateral cooperation.
In a statement issued after Sharif spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest and agreed to stay in close contact.
“The Prime Minister lauded the UAE’s consistent and unwavering support to Pakistan, that had helped the country navigate through difficult challenges,” the statement said, adding the two leaders “reaffirmed their shared desire to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Pakistan and the UAE.”
The UAE, along with other friendly nations in the region, provided critical financial assistance to the South Asian country during a balance-of-payments crisis that strained Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves and pressured its currency. Islamabad subsequently secured an International Monetary Fund program as part of broader stabilization efforts.
Sharif, in a post on X, described the exchange as positive.
“We fondly recalled our recent meetings and reaffirmed our shared resolve to further strengthen the historic, fraternal ties between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, and to expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” he wrote.
Millions of Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, forming one of the largest expatriate communities in the Gulf state.
Remittances from the UAE rank among Pakistan’s top sources of foreign currency inflows and play a significant role in supporting the country’s external accounts.
UAE-based companies are also investing in Pakistan, helping Islamabad develop its seaports to facilitate regional trade.
