Pakistan News: Pakistan has become a joke & a banana republic, says PM Imran Khan

Pakistan PM Imran Khan said that he will not accept an imported government and called for street protests on Sunday evening. 

"People, not Army, can safeguard democracy. Come in front of people and announce elections. The opposition, steeped in corruption, wants to see me out of power to bury cases against them. I am ready for the struggle," Khan said.

"There is rampant horse-trading in the opposition camp. Which country's democracy allows these kinds of acts. I'm not anti-American but we don't need a one-sided relationship. Look at India, no one can dictate to India on their foreign policy(the way they dictate to us)," Pakistan PM Imran Khan said.

Stating that Pakistan has become a joke and a banana republic, Khan said, "Buying and selling (of lawmakers) is happening openly, no one is serious.. this makes me sad. Never seen horse-trading in western democracy."

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in his address to the nation ahead of the no-trust vote said, "I am upset with the Supreme Court's decision. I was upset because when the Dy Speaker conducted the probe, the SC should have investigated it."

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan addresses the nation ahead of a no-confidence vote on Saturday. 

Alleging that the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is using delaying tactics, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz filed a petition in the Lahore High Court seeking a session of the Punjab Assembly to elect the new Chief Minister of the country's largest province.

The petition said that the delay tactics are being used by not calling the assembly session and stalling the voting for the new Chief Minister, Samaa News reported.

PML-N's counsel said the delay in session is a constitutional problem as the CM Office cannot be left vacant even for a single day.
 

Attorney General Khalid Javed submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan. AG submitted his resignation yesterday late night after the Supreme Court verdict that went against Imran Khan. Reportedly, Imran Khan hasn’t accepted the resignation of AG yet.

The Opposition has brought a no-confidence motion against National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.  Suri had earlier dismissed the no-confidence motion citing the foreign conspiracy.

In another setback to the beleaguered government of Imran Khan, a Pakistan high court on Friday declared "unconstitutional" a controversial ordinance introduced this year to amend cybercrime law.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued a four-page verdict to strike down the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022, which was criticised for criminalising defamation.

The law makes it a criminal act to slander any organisation, or institution set up by the government, further increasing the punishment of three years imprisonment for guilty to five years.
 

According to reports, The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has told its Members of the National Assembly that "There won’t be voting on No Confidence Motion on Saturday."

For this only possible way for PTI is to stretch the discussion as long as they can so that the house doesn’t have time to call for Agenda No 04 which is Voting on No Confidence Motion.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation tonight at 10 PM (IST) ahead of the crucial no-confidence vote on Saturday.

The Opposition Parties have moved a no-confidence motion against Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who is from Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party. PTI has clear majority in KPK with 94/ 145 seats

Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Friday said that he had advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to resign from office three months ago and added that he would advise him to do the same today also.

Rashid while targeting the opposition reiterated his commitment to fighting the "thieves" till the end, reported The Express Tribune. "The country cannot be run alongside these thieves," said the Interior Minister.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chairs the Parliamentary Party Meeting in Islamabad.

Anti-terrorism court, Lahore convicts Jamaat-ud-Dawa Chief and Lashkar-e-Toiba co-Founder Hafiz Saeed in an illegal funding case. He has been sentenced to 31 years in prison in two cases. A fine of 3.4 lakh was also imposed on JuD Chief.

Members of the Provincial Assembly of United Opposition of Punjab Assembly are being shifted to another hotel. MPAs being transferred from Gulberg to a private hotel near the airport. PML-N MPA Bushra Butt and Rabia Farooqi can be seen moving to another hotel.

Ahead of the no-confidence vote on Saturday, Pakistan Army has warned cornered Prime Minister Imran Khan to not to make the 'US cable' public.

'A country without a big motivation cannot become big,' says cornered Imran Khan amid ongoing political crisis

The Imran Khan government will file a review petition against the Supreme Court decision, The government plans to show 'proof' of the alleged foreign plot to topple the government.

The government has formed a commission to investigate the foreign conspiracy for a regime change in Pakistan. The commission will be headed by Lt Gen (R) Tariq Khan. Record of the International conspiracy to be presented before the members of the National Assembly on Saturday.

The commission of Inquiry headed by Lieutenant General (retd) Tariq Khan will present its report in 90 days.

Hamza Shahbaz has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court to hold Punjab CM election. It said that the delay tactics are being used to not call the assembly session and stalling the voting for the new chief minister

Pakistan National Assembly session has been called on April 9 at 10:30 AM (PST). Voting on the no-confidence motion in the meeting is agenda number 04.

Federal Minister for Energy Hamad Azhar fainted in the Prime Minister's House during cabinet meeting. He was later provided with medical aid.

"The no-confidence motion tabled at the request of 220 million people of Pakistan will prove to be an important milestone in no-confidence motion tabled at the request of 220 million people of Pakistan will prove to be an important milestone in bringing Pakistan out of the darkness of despair and problems tomorrow, God willing. Pakistan needs the ointment of collective wisdom, solidarity and consensus. We will become a nation and break the storms of problems," Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.

At present, Pakistan PM Imran Khan is chairing a Cabinet meeting. He will meet PTI leaders at 3.30 pm. 

Pakistan Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari dubbed the SC's verdict on the restoration of the National Assembly as a "judicial coup". Lamenting that the US' alleged attempt at regime change was ignored, she opined, "The long shadows hanging over this judicial decision think the game has been won but frankly it has just started. The people know who sold their souls to US & to lure of money & in the end, it will go to people's court, despite ECP's inexplicable reluctance!"

The Lahore High Court adjourned the pleas of Hamza Shehbaz and Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari seeking to immediately convene the Punjab Assembly session for the election of the CM till April 11. The Chief Justice issued notices to the parties on the petitions. He observed, "We have to follow the system, law and order". 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the PTI Parliamentary Committee. Pervez Khattak, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, Sheikh Rashid, Mada Zahir, Farrukh Habib, Shaukat Tareen and Babar Awan took part in the meeting. As per sources, Khan reviewed the political situation after the Supreme Court restored the National Assembly. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan met DG ISI Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum, sources revealed. This comes a few hours ahead of his address to the nation. 

After PML(N)'s Hamza Shehbaz, rebel PTI MPA and Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari demanded an urgent session of the Punjab Assembly to elect the Chief Minister. He has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court in this regard. 

A single-judge bench of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti is expected to hear Hamza Shehbaz's petition seeking the immediate election of the Punjab CM. However, sources revealed that the Registrar's Office objected to Shehbaz's petition citing that the Speaker's order cannot be challenged in court. 

In a key development, PTI senator Faisal Javed Khan announced that Pakistan PM Imran Khan will make an important announcement today evening. While conceding that the Prime Minister is facing challenges in the wake of the no-confidence motion, he contended that the opposition was mistaken in thinking that it has won. 

As per sources, Hamza Shehbaz's constitutional petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court to hold the election for the post of Chief Minister of Punjab. He has also sought a direction from the HC to ensure that all MPAs can access the Assembly premises. 

Speaker of Pakistan National Assembly Asad Qaiser has called the National Assembly session at 10.30 am on Saturday. There will be voting on the no-confidence motion. As per sources, the Assembly session will be adjourned sine die after voting takes place. 

Amid a huge setback for Pakistan PM Imran Khan in the Supreme Court, Hamza Shehbaz will move the Lahore High Court on Friday seeking an immediate election for the Punjab CM's post. The CM election will be a direct face-off between the PTI-led coalition's Pervaiz Elahi who is currently the Assembly Speaker and Leader of Opposition Hamza Shehbaz. Security has been beefed up ousted the Lahore HC. 

Addressing a press conference, PML(N) president Shehbaz Sharif asserted that the opposition will not indulge in vindictive politics if it comes to power. He said, "Not revenge but law and justice will take its course, we will break the NAB-Niazi Nexus, which has caused immense damage to Pakistan". He also downplayed the impact of the possibility of PTI MPs resigning from Parliament. 

Speaking to the media after the SC verdict, MQM-P convenor Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressed hope that the new government will give representation to different sections of society. MQM-P was a key ally of the Imran Khan-led government but joined the opposition ranks last week. 

Hailing the SC verdict, PML(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif congratulated opposition leaders for their efforts to oust Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Speaking to the media in London, he said, "I want to congratulate everyone in the country. People have gotten rid of such a person who ruined the country. He made common people starve. The dollar has reached 200 today and people are frustrated with inflation in the country". 

Pakistan Prime Minister will convene a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow. The meeting of the Parliamentary Committee will also be held tomorrow and the Prime Minister will address the nation later tomorrow night, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter.

After facing a massive setback in the SC, ruling PTI is planning mass resignations from National Assembly and Provincial assemblies, Pakistan media reported. 

After facing a setback in the SC, Imran Khan is expected to announce a new strategy soon. - PTI

The National Assembly session has been called by the SC at 10.30 PM on April 9. Care taker PM to be null & void, Imran Khan to remain PM till trust vote. 

"If the no-confidence motion succeeds, a new prime minister will come. No member can be prevented from voting," said Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial. 

'Our verdict is unanimous', Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial observed, calling the dismissal of the no-trust motion 'unconstitutional'. The dissolution of the assembly was also declared unconstitutional.

The Pakistan Supreme Court informed that the Election Commission was ready to hold general elections. The EC has told the court that it needs 7 months for delimitation across country.

Judges are still in Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial's chamber, as per sources. Final consultations are ongoing before the historic verdict.

The staff of Supreme Court has reached the premises. Chief Election Commissioner and Secretary Election Commission are also present in the courtroom along with Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan. 

The united opposition has called a meeting ahead of the SC verdict. Bilawal Bhutto, Asif Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman will attend the meeting. The opposition will formulate its joint strategy after the decision of the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, an important meeting of PTI party leaders underway in Bani Gala under the chairmanship of Imran Khan.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial summons senior Election Commission official ahead of the verdict on the dismissal of no-confidence against Imran Khan and the subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly. 

A scuffle broke out outside Pakistan Supreme Court between Fawad Chaudhry's brother Faisal Chaudhry and a PMLN lawyer on Thursday. The SC is expected to announce its verdict on the dismissal of the no-trust motion very soon. 

Amid the hearing in the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial said, "This social media is criticising us, I was told to ban discussion on this outside court."

Supreme Court will give its verdict on the deputy speaker’s ruling to disallow the no-confidence motion at 7:30 PM PKT today: Pakistan media.

Shehbaz Sharif says if Imran Khan proves even one evidence of conspiracy, he will leave politics. "If the former prime minister brings evidence of an international conspiracy, I will quit politics," said Sharif. 

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has reserved its order after 5 days of hearings on the cancellation of the no-confidence motion and dissolution of the Pak Assembly. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial has reserved the decision after completing proceedings. 

Imran Khan has suggested a panel to choose Pakistan's caretaker PM. Republic has learned that the Premier has presented a 4-member list to speaker. 

The Pakistan SC has raised a question on how soon can be elections be held. This comes as the Election Commission of Pakistan responds to the President's letter stating that the body was ready to hold general elections in Pakistan by October 2022. According to the constitution and law, 4 more months will be required for delimitation. 

Heavy deployment seen outside Pakistan Supreme Court, with the verdict likely to be announced today. AG urges for an out-of-court settlement. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial observed that the ruling of the National Assembly Speaker is wrong. He also reportedly indicated that the 5-judge bench will pronounce its verdict on the rejection of the no-confidence motion today itself. During the hearing, the CJ mentioned that the court will have to look after the national interest. 

In a big development, Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan told the Supreme Court that he does not support the argument that parliamentary proceedings have full immunity. He stated that the extent to which parliamentary proceedings can be reviewed will be decided by the court. For instance, he observed that the court may intervene if the Speaker announces that a person with fewer votes will become Prime Minister.

After lawyer Naeem Bukhari finished his submissions, Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan commenced his arguments. He made it clear that he won't be able to give details of the National Security Committee meeting in open court. Khan added, "The Prime Minister is the biggest stakeholder, so he has the power to dissolve the assembly. It is not necessary to give reasons to the Prime Minister for dissolving the Assembly. If the President does not decide on the recommendation, the Assembly will be dissolved in 48 hours". 

Appearing for the Speaker, advocate Naeem Bukhari presented the minutes of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security meeting before the Supreme Court. He also stressed that approving a no-confidence motion does not mean it cannot be rejected. To buttress his point, he cited that the court too approved petitions for hearing but dismissed them at a later stage. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial stated that 57 people were present in the Parliamentary Committee on National Security. However, he questioned the absence of Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi. He also observed, "The names of the participants in this meeting have come to light, but the names of those who gave briefings have not come to light". 

The Supreme Court has resumed its hearing on the suo moto case pertaining to the rejection of the no-confidence motion against Pakistan PM Imran Khan after a break of 15 minutes. Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial observed, "The election of a new government and Prime Minister is a matter within Parliament.  If the no-confidence motion had been allowed to take place, the solution would have come out who would be the Prime Minister". 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial stated that the National Assembly Deputy Speaker was not aware of the National Security Committee briefing. Moreover, he questioned why the Deputy Speaker gave such a ruling on April 3 when he had a problem with the voting on March 28. He also asked Imran Khan's lawyer what will be the consequences of the PM breaking the limits of Article 58. Meanwhile, Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan commented, "Taking advantage of the situation, the Prime Minister dissolved the Assembly". 

Arguing for Pakistan PM Imran Khan, advocate Imtiaz Siddiqui asserted that the National Assembly Deputy Speaker relied on the National Security Committee and no one can influence this committee. However, Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial observed, "The Prime Minister ignored Article 58. What material was in front of the Speaker on which he ended the no-confidence motion?"

During the hearing, the CJ commented, "If the no-confidence motion had been voted on, we would have known who the Prime Minister is. Somewhere we will have to draw the line". He questioned whether the election of the new government and Prime Minister was a matter within Parliament? Thereafter, the Pakistan President’s lawyer Ali Zafar said that the SC has ruled on many occasions against interference in the election.

The CJ observed, "The issue before us is that Article 58 dissolves the Assembly on the advice of the Prime Minister but Article 58 also says that a Prime Minister against whom a no-confidence motion has been filed cannot recommend dissolution of the Assembly. We have to look into this matter in the dissolution of the Assembly". He also added that the Deputy Speaker's ruling is apparently a violation of Article 95 of the Constitution. 

At the outset, Punjab Advocate General narrated what happened in a private hotel yesterday when Hamza Shehbaz was elected CM in a symbolic ceremony. However, the Chief Justice made it clear that the SC won't pass any order and asked the petitioners to move the Lahore High Court for relief. 

The hearing of the Supreme Court on the rejection of the no-confidence motion by the National Assembly Deputy Speaker has commenced. Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan is likely to back the decision for fresh elections and the continuation of the electoral process. PTI’s lawyer Babar Awan, Speaker’s lawyer Naeem Bukhari, President’s lawyer Ali Zafar, the Attorney General and PPP's lawyer Raza Rabbani are present in the Supreme Court.

Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif writes to Pakistan President Arif Alvi on the appointment of Caretaker Prime Minister. He termed the initiation of this process as a blatant attempt to subvert the provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan and to
pre-empt the decision of the Supreme Court. 

After a long meeting, Pakistan Democratic Movement chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman reiterated the opposition's demand that the ruling of National Assembly's Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri should be annulled. Maintaining that the ruling is a part of a conspiracy to impose the presidential system in Pakistan, he also called upon the National Security Committee participants to inform the people of the real facts so that the country can be saved from chaos and anarchy. This was a reference to the foreign conspiracy claim by Imran Khan and PTI. 

Hitting out at PTI for postponing the Punjab Assembly session, PML(N) president Maryam Nawaz said, "My head bowed in shame today as the Punjab Assembly was locked today as barbed wire was laid around the Punjab Assembly. The entry of media members was banned. The members of the Assembly were forced to hold this meeting in this hotel."

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has written letters to Prime Minister Imran Khan and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif seeking the composition of a parliamentary committee for the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister. This came after Sharif disapproved of President Arif Alvi initiating the process for the appointment of a caretaker PM. 

The Supreme Court will continue hearing the suo moto plea on the rejection of the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition at 10 am today. The arguments from both sides are likely to be concluded today. 

PTI Chairman Imran Khan has directed the Provincial Presidents to immediately form the Divisional Parliamentary Boards for the preparations for the elections. The party's Central Parliamentary Board will review the recommendations of the Divisional Parliamentary Boards for the allotment of tickets.

Pakistan's opposition lawmakers led by the PML-N, held a session on Wednesday at a private hotel with PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz where they elected Hamza Shehbaz as the Punjab chief minister. The legality of the session and Hamza's so-called "victory" still remains unclear as the session was held outside the Punjab Assembly, Islamabad's Dawn newspaper reported on Wednesday. 

Pakistan's Punjab: Opposition’s own Assembly Session at Hotel in Lahore underway. Rangers to be deployed in Lahore. 

Hamza Shahbaz Sharif elected as Chief Minister of Punjab by opposition. Hamza Shahbaz got 199 votes ( excluding vote of Speaker Shazia Abid) 

Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice's daughter Sahar Zareen Bandial resigns as Member Council of Complaints, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)

Imran Khan party's (PTI) Sindh legislators protest against US and opposition, demands hanging for the opposition MNAs 

Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaier writes to Imran Khan and Shahbaz Sharif. Asks both to nominate two members for nomination of caretaker Prime Minister of Punjab

The Pakistan Chief Justice on Wednesday pulled up Prime Minister Imran Khan over the dissolution of the national assembly, stating that the decision had been seemingly taken because the PTI government lost its majority.

During the hearing in the Supreme Court, Pakistan Chief Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail questioned whether the President had a right to ask the reason behind dissolving the assembly from the PM. "Can the President ask the Prime Minister the reasons for dissolving the Assembly," Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail questioned, to which Advocate Ali Zafar replied that the President is bound by the recommendation of the Prime Minister. "It is not necessary to state the reasons for recommending the dissolution of the Assembly," said Advocate Zafar. 

 Pakistan Political Crisis: Pakistan Supreme Court adjourns hearing till tomorrow

As per sources, Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Sardar Dost Muhammad Mazari has rebelled against PTI. This came after his own party filed a no-confidence motion against him. Sources revealed that Mazari has formed a group of 15 MPAs who will vote against Pervaiz Elahi during the no-trust motion. 

In a big development, PTI filed the motion of no confidence against Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari. This comes hours ahead of the Assembly session to elect the new Chief Minister. 

As per sources, the Punjab Assembly building has been locked indicating that PTI and its allies want to prevent the Assembly session from taking place today at any costs. Speaking to the media, the Deputy Speaker who is facing a no-confidence motion by his own party said, "The people who don't want the Assembly proceedings to run smoothly can derail them. They should understand that there is already chaos in our country. They want to run the proceedings by keeping aside the law and the Constitution. But I will function as per the law and the Constitution." 

Justice Muneeb Akhtar asked the government's advocate Babar Awan whether the Deputy Speaker also exercise the powers of the Speaker. In response, Awan said, "I will answer in detail". On this, Justice Ejaz-ul-Hasan said, "No, no, you just say yes or no". 

The Supreme Court rejected Babar Awan's request for an in-camera briefing to show a diplomatic correspondence which PTI has buttressed as proof of the "foreign conspiracy" to topple the Imran Khan-led government. He observed, "Both Army and Government are on same lines. In a conversation with senior anchor Muhammad Malik, DG ISPR said that the position of the army is the same as stated by the committee". 

When the government's advocate Babar Awan raised the alleged horsetrading of PTI lawmakers at the Sindh House and the Awari Hotel in Lahore, the CJ specified that the courts run according to facts and law. Maintaining that the court won't go into allegations and counter-allegations, he questioned the counsel whether the Deputy Speaker had the authority to take such an action. Explaining the foreign conspiracy charge, Awan stated that the top diplomat conveyed the message of another country's diplomat to three people- the Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission and Defense Attache. 

He added that ‎the letter came on March 7 after our diplomats met abroad. After which, the CJ asked for the minutes of the National Security Committee meeting. Awan responded that the diplomatic correspondence can be shown on camera if the court so desires. 

Commencing his arguments, government advocate Babar Awan told the Pakistan Supreme Court that not all political parties have filed petitions against the decision of the Deputy Speaker. He specifically named opposition parties such as MQM, Jamaat-e-Islami, Pashtun Tehfeez Movement and Rah-e-Haq Party. In an indication that the court will not tolerate delaying tactics, the SC CJ stated that the bench wants to end this historic case today itself. 

In its letter to the Election Commission of Pakistan, the President’s Secretariat asked it to propose dates for holding general elections within 90 days from the date of dissolution of the National Assembly i.e., 3rd April 2022. It noted that consultation with the Election Commission is required for announcing the date of general elections as per Section 57(1) of the Elections Act, 2017. 

PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman called an emergency meeting of the joint opposition at 3 pm today. PML(N), PPP, ANP, MQM, Jamhoori Watan Party and Balochistan Awami Party will also participate in the meeting. The meeting will consider the political situation, including the appointment of the caretaker Prime Minister.

In a key development, Pakistan PM Imran Khan requested the country's Supreme Court to form a high-powered commission of judges to investigate ‘foreign conspiracy’ against his government. To buttress his 'foreign conspiracy' charge, Khan had cited a diplomatic cable sent by the ex-Pakistan's envoy to the US on March 7 which quoted diplomat Donald Lu as saying, "A vote of confidence is coming and if that succeeds all mistakes of Pakistan will be forgiven, otherwise, Pakistan has to face dire consequences". In his submission, Khan asserted that the NSC participants had agreed on the threat posed by this. 

Following PTI's announcement that the elections will be held in 90 days, the Election Commission of Pakistan, which is already functioning with three members including the chief election commissioner, is looking for ways to make it possible. Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, according to the Pakistani media, has sprung into action along with the two other ECP members to deal with the massive challenge of conducting elections before which a series of key actions are to be taken. A day earlier, it denied issuing any statement about the feasibility of conducting elections. 

Shortly after PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif levelled a series of allegations against the PTI-led government in Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan, former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly refuted those calling them "irresponsible". This came after Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday had alleged that the "threat letter" shown by Prime Minister Imran Khan was actually drafted in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and was not credible. Qureshi also asked her to provide evidence for proving her allegation. 

In a huge charge, rebel PTI MP Aamir Liaquat Husain alleged that Imran Khan wanted to sack Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. He said, "I want to tell Khan Sahab that none of us are traitors. You labelled members of the National Assembly as traitors. I was not even there during voting. When I reached, it was too late and the doors were closed. Now, I will give my vote. Until yesterday, I was with you traitor now I will be with those who are not traitors. You tried to remove General Bajwa. I give testimony that you had called me and said that I am going to remove General Bajwa". 

On Tuesday evening, Punjab Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari recalled his earlier order summoning the Assembly session on April 16. This came after Pakistan Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan told him that not calling the session on April 6 would lead to contempt of court as he had assured the Supreme Court in this regard. Thus, the election of the Punjab CM will take place at 8 pm tonight. 

Addressing a press conference, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari revealed that his party intends to bring a no-confidence motion against PTI-led governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He mentioned that PPP will talk to the other opposition parties in this regard. 

Pakistan plunged into a constitutional crisis on April 3 as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan without voting. The PTI-led government was facing an imminent defeat with the opposition garnering the support of more than 172 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) even without taking into consideration the rebel PTI parliamentarians. At the outset, Pakistan Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry invoked Article 5 of the Constitution which states that it is the basic duty of every citizen to show loyalty to the State. 

Thereafter, he equated the no-confidence motion to an effective operation of "regime change" by a foreign government. This was a reference to a diplomatic cable sent by former Pakistan's envoy to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, to Islamabad on March 7 which allegedly quoted a US diplomat as saying, "A vote of confidence is coming and if that succeeds all mistakes of Pakistan will be forgiven, otherwise, Pakistan has to face dire consequences". In his detailed ruling, Suri claimed that the no-confidence motion is linked to the efforts of a foreign country to bring about a change of government in Pakistan.

In a televised address immediately after the rejection of the no-trust motion, the Pakistan PM revealed that he had advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly to pave way for fresh elections. Subsequently, Alvi accepted this recommendation and asked Imran Khan to continue in office until a caretaker PM is appointed. However, the Pakistan SC took cognisance of this matter, issued notice and made it clear that the steps taken by Khan, Alvi and Suri would be subject to the court’s final verdict. The case is being heard by a 5-judge bench currently

The opposition’s discontent stems from the 2018 General Election in Pakistan that was allegedly rigged before and on the counting day at the behest of the military establishment. For instance, just a few days before the election, former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz who were leading the campaign for civilian supremacy were sentenced by an Accountability court on charges of corruption. Moreover, polling agents of various parties were reportedly thrown out during the counting process, thus casting doubts on the legitimacy of Khan’s Tehreek-I-Insaf party.

Since then, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders have called Khan as ‘selected’, hinting at the role of the Pakistani military in rigging the election. The opposition parties have also been riled by the fact that Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau has been regularly arresting its leaders. Moreover, the Imran Khan-led government is facing a huge backlash from across the political spectrum over the surging inflation, increasing debt, purported misgovernance and mishandling of foreign policy which is reflected in the stalling of CPEC projects and US president Joe Biden's snub. 

Facing a tough test of survival in the no-confidence motion, Khan first talked about the 'foreign conspiracy' to dislodge his government. At his massive rally in Islamabad on March 27, he waved a letter as proof. On the occasion, he also hinted that former PM and PML(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was a part of this plot and that he was holding secret meetings in London. After the opposition questioned the authenticity of his claims, Khan showed the 'secret letter' to his Cabinet members and allies and gave a gist of the same to select journalists on March 30.

The letter referred to by Imran Khan was a diplomatic cable sent by former Pakistan's envoy to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, to Islamabad on March 7. The latter, who has been replaced by Ambassador Masood Khan, shared details about his meeting with US diplomat Donald Lu. He reportedly contended that the decision to visit Russia on the eve of the invasion was Imran Khan's call and not that of the military establishment. The letter also quoted him as saying, "A vote of confidence is coming and if that succeeds all mistakes of Pakistan will be forgiven, otherwise, Pakistan has to face dire consequences".