Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
Set to face a no-confidence vote in Parliament on 9 April, Pakistan's de-notified Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the nation on Friday, 8 April, and expressed dismay over the Supreme Court's ruling in favour of the no-confidence vote.
The apex court should have looked into the serious allegations of a foreign conspiracy and horse-trading of lawmakers, the leader stated.
He added, "Pakistan's democracy has become a joke."
In what appeared to be an acceptance of his government's fate, Khan urged his supporters to stage peaceful protests against the "new imported government."
"I will not accept this imported government, I will take to street….Only people can bring me to power and I will come back with the help of the people," he said.
Resuming his address, he said, "I respect the Supreme Court and the judiciary, but the apex court should have looked at the threat letter before issuing the verdict." He alleged that US diplomats threatened to change the regime in Pakistan.
Once again, Khan appeared to praise India calling the neighbouring country a "self-respecting nation" which follows its own course without being dictated by any one else.
Denouncing the United States, he said that the USA favoured his opposition, which was "willing to sell everything for monetary benefits."
"I will not be a puppet," he declared.
"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," Khan said.
Stressing on the importance of a Pakistan free of 'foreign interference', he added, "Muslims in India, who are in a bad state today, also voted for the independence of Pakistan."
Background
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, on Thursday, unanimously ruled that the National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's rejection of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan was illegal, noting that it was contrary to the country's Constitution.
The court ruled in favour of restoring the National Assembly, and ordered a no-confidence vote against the PM on Saturday – a move that suggests that Khan's tenure as prime minister might most likely be coming to an end, with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) formally announcing on 30 March that it was exiting the coalition government led by his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).
The vote will be held at 10 am on April.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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