ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on supporters to hold peaceful protests on Saturday and tomorrow, Sunday, when he will face a no-trust vote against him.
As dissatisfaction with Khan’s government grew over the past few months, particularly over economic challenges, his opponents announced their intention to move a no-confidence motion in parliament, which was tabled on March 28. Two coalition partners of Khan have since abandoned him since, technically giving the opposition the votes needed to oust him from office.
As Sunday's no trust vote looms, Khan has been referring to it as an alleged foreign conspiracy to remove him from power.
“Today and tomorrow, you should take to the streets to protest peacefully,” Khan said, as he addressed live calls from the public. “I want my nation to come out on the streets to show their conscience."
In response to one caller, the prime minister said his government would file treason charges against opposition members who are part of the alleged foreign plot. He added he would seek advice from legal experts on how the government could do in the most effective manner.
In response to another question, the PM who rose to power in 2018 with support of the military, said Pakistan’s armed forces and his ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were the only two elements in the country that were uniting it.
“I want you to refrain from any sort of criticism of the army,” he said, adding that they had rendered countless sacrifices for the nation.
