Pakistan: Won't Resign, Have Never Accepted Defeat, Says Imran Khan
Imran Khan also chaired a National Security Committee meeting on Thursday
Pakistan PM Imran Khan
Photo: Screengrab
Pak PM Imran Khan to Address Nation on Thursday
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the nation on Thursday, the country's information minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Twitter.
"Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's address to the nation will be telecast at 7:15 pm (local time)," he said.
Backdoor Efforts Underway to Reach Deal between Pak PM Imran Khan & Opposition
Backdoor talks between Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the joint opposition are currently underway to dissolve the lower house of the national assembly, news agency PTI reported.
"Talks are focused on one-point – the joint opposition withdraws the no-trust motion against Khan and in return he dissolves the National Assembly calling for fresh elections," a highly placed source in the Pakistan federal government told the news agency PTI.
"The top man in the establishment may be a guarantor if the understanding (deal) between the opposition and the government reaches,” he added. "If this deal is cut, the new elections will be held in August this year," he said.
The source also said that since the opposition is not trusting Khan, the guarantor may ally its concerns.
Imran Khan Offers to Dissolve Assembly: Reports
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reportedly offered to dissolve the assembly if the no-confidence motion against him is withdrawn, reported Geo News.
Take the Honourable Exit: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Thursday that either the Leader of Opposition would take a vote of confidence now or Imran Khan should face a vote of no confidence.
"The joint opposition has 172 members in the parliamentary party meeting. There's no NRO now, just one honourable exit for IK. Either let Leader of Opp in the NA take a vote of confidence now, or IK should face the #VONC," he said.
Pak National Assembly Adjourned Till Sunday
The National Assembly session to debate the no-confidence motion against Pakistan PM Imran Khan was adjourned to 3 April, minutes after it began on Thursday, 31 March. The session will now resume at 11:30 am (PST) on Sunday.
More than 172 members from the Opposition benches were in attendance on Thursday. As the session kicked off, all the Opposition members demanded the deputy speaker allow voting on the no-confidence motion.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri said due to the "non-serious" attitude of the Opposition lawmakers, the session is being adjourned till Sunday. This came almost 10 minutes after the session had started.
'Imran Isn't Left With Anywhere to Run': Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday said that Imran isn't left with anywhere to run.
"Today, he used Speaker to run away but for how long ? There is no safe passage anymore. There is one honourable way, PM should resign and Shehbaz Sharif be given an opportunity for a vote of confidence."
Imran Khan Holding Imp Meeting With Foreign Min Shah Mehmood Qureshi
PM Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi are currently holding an important meeting due to which PM's address to the nation has been delayed, reports Pakistan's Dunya News.
Pak to Issue Strong Demarche to the Country Whose Official Communicated the Threat
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on Thursday, where it was decided that Pakistan would issue a strong demarche to the country whose official communicated the "threat", Pakistan's Geo News reported.
'We Have Two Paths Ahead of Us': Imran
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is currently addressing the nation.
"Today, I have to talk something important about the country's future. I decided to do this address live because Pakistan is at a defining moment and we have two paths ahead of us," he said.
"But before that, I want to tell you that why a person like me entered politics. I am a fortunate person whom Allah had blessed with everything, including fame and wealth. I am from the first generation that was born in a free country."
"Pakistan is five years older than me. My parents were born during times of slavery. They made me realise that I was lucky to have been born in a free country because in slavery you cannot rise above a certain level. Khuddari is a sign of a free nation."
"I entered politics because I came to the conclusion that Pakistan can never be the country that Allama Iqbal dreamt of and Quaid-e-Azam struggled for even in poor health. The main purpose of Pakistan was to become an Islamic welfare state, which traces back to the state of Madina."
'Had Three Aims When I Joined Politics': Imran
Imran Khan said he had three aims when he joined politics.
"When I started politics, I included three things in my party's manifesto. Justice, which means law is the same for the powerful and the weak. Humanity because there is kindness in an Islamic state, and third, Khuddari because a Muslim nation cannot be a slave," he said.
He said that during his youth, he saw that the country was progressing toward the path of success and development. However, because of the corruption of political leaders, the country started witnessing a decline, he added.
"People from South Korea, the Middle East, and Malaysia used to come to Pakistan to study at universities here," he said. "But because of the corruption of political leaders, it started witnessing a decline."
'Won't Bow Down Before Anyone': Imran
He further said, "Since I joined politics, I have always said that neither will I bow down before anyone and nor will I let my nation bow down. It means I will not let my nation be a slave to anyone. I have never backed down from this stance."
"I decided the day I became the prime minister that our foreign policy will be independent, which means it will be for Pakistanis. It doesn't mean that we wanted enmity. When I got the government I said that we will not have any foreign policy that is not in our favour," he added.
'Only Spoke Against India When They Changed Kashmir's Status': Imran
"When India changed Kashmir’s status, only then I spoke against India. Before that I made all efforts to befriend India," Imran Khan said.
"Our policy was not anti-US, -Europe, or even India [...] it became anti-Indian after New Delhi revoked the special status of Kashmir and broke international law in August 2019," he said.
'Foreign Country is Working Against an Elected PM': Imran
Imran alleged that a foreign country is working against an elected PM. "The letter says that if Imran Khan remains the PM, we won't forgive Pakistan."
In a slip of the tongue, he mentioned the United States, but later moved on and stated that "a foreign country" had sent a "threatening memo" which was against the Pakistani nation.
"...the letter stated that the no-confidence motion was being tabled even before it was filed, which means the Opposition was in contact with them," he alleged.
PM Imran Khan said the memo was against him, not against the government.
"...it stated that if the no-confidence motion passes, Pakistan will be forgiven, if not, there will be consequences."
He stated that it was an "official letter" that was communicated to Pakistan's ambassador, who was taking notes during the meeting.
PM Imran Khan said the envoy was told that if Imran Khan remains in power, Pakistan would face "difficulties".
"Is this our standing? We are a strong nation of 220 million," he asked.
PM Imran Khan said the letter does not mention any reason and only wanted his ouster.
"...our ambassador told the foreign official that the prime minister had visited Russia after delibrations with [the country's top brass]. But the foreign official stated that no, it was just Imran Khan's decision," the premier revealed.
PM Imran Khan said the foreign official knew that the ones who would come into power after him would have no issues taking orders from external forces.
"But what is most disturbing is that our people, who are sitting here, are in contact with foreign powers," he said, as he referred to the"three stooges" — PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
He further said Nawaz Sharif was convicted in Pakistani courts. Attacking the Opposition, he said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other institutions had made cases against them.
"Will foreign countries want such corrupt people in power in their states? They are ready to accept such corrupt politicians, but I am not acceptable to them," the prime minister said.
'Won't Resign, Will Fight Till the Last Ball': Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday, 31 March, said he would not resign ahead of the no-confidence vote, saying he would fight till the last ball and has never accepted defeat.
"When I played cricket for 20 years, the world and those who played cricket with me saw that I play till the last ball. I've never accepted defeat in life. Nobody should think that I will sit at home. I'll come back stronger, whatever may the result be," he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Thursday, 31 March, said he would not resign ahead of the no-confidence vote, saying he would fight till the last ball.
"I've never accepted defeat in life. Nobody should think that I will sit at home. I'll come back stronger, whatever may the result be," he said.
Imran alleged that a foreign country is working against an elected PM. In a slip of the tongue, he mentioned the United States, but later moved on and stated that "a foreign country" had sent a "threatening memo" which was against the Pakistani nation.
He also said that he would not let Pakistan bow down before anyone.
His address was delayed by almost an hour after he was holding a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly session to debate the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan was adjourned to Sunday, 3 April, minutes after it began on Thursday, 31 March. The session had resumed after a three-day recess.
Imran Khan chaired a National Security Committee meeting on Thursday
Imran Khan addressed the nation on Thursday
Imran said he only spoke against India when they changed Kashmir's status
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)