ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition parties on Wednesday doubled down on their demand for the country’s military to clarify its stance on accusations that a no-confidence motion filed by a joint opposition alliance against Prime Minister Imran Khan was part of an international conspiracy to oust his government. 

Pakistan’s opposition filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan last month, accusing him of misgovernance, skyrocketing inflation and mismanaging the economy. The opposition said it had more than 172 votes in parliament, a simple majority in the 342-member National Assembly, to oust the prime minister. 

However, the deputy speaker of the national assembly disallowed voting on the motion last Sunday, saying the motion was unconstitutional since it was part of a foreign conspiracy to bring about “regime change” in Pakistan. Washington has denied the allegations on more than one occasion. 

The president then dissolved the lower house of the parliament, the National Assembly, on Khan’s advice, triggering anger and shock among opposition leaders. The Supreme Court is now holding daily hearings to decide on the constitutionality of the events.

The government’s accusations also came under discussion at a National Security Council meeting attended by the country’s top military and intelligence chiefs. Oopposition parties are now demanding the military come forward and clarify whether it believes the opposition was in cahoots with the US, saying that the army’s silence on the matter is creating a political crisis.

Speaking to journalists, former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Khan had claimed the country’s military leadership was in agreement with him that the opposition was involved in a foreign-backed conspiracy.

“It is time for the military leadership to come forward and tell us about that [NSC] meeting,” Abbasi said. “They should tell us as to what was discussed in that meeting and what decisions were taken afterwards. The masses want to know, history wants to know.” 

“It is also the responsibility of the Supreme Court when today, the constitution is being violated, when there is no respect for the rule of law, when people are imposed on the nation as rulers, then is there anyone who will answer for it?” Abbasi asked, addressing top court judges.

Separately, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari protested the apex court’s decision to hold off on announcing a verdict on the case, saying it should take no time “to undo a coup.”

“Justice delayed is Justice denied,” he tweeted.