PM calls for protests as NA embraces distrust

 

Paramilitary soldiers with shields and helmets stand in front of the parliament building in Islamabad on April 2

He said it was unfortunate that in recent days the government had decided to add more toxicity to a crisis it had created by spreading news of potential deadlocks on the route to Parliament.

ISLAMABAD: On the eve of voting on a no-confidence resolution tabled against him by the opposition in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Imran Khan called on his supporters, particularly young people, to protest peacefully against what he called an international conspiracy hatched by the US to oust him from power.

The prime minister also changed his mind about his party's strategy for the all-important parliamentary session and announced that he would be present for the debate on the motion of no confidence. He directed Pakistan's Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers to join Sunday's negotiations and vocally defend their prime minister.

The call for protest was launched by the Prime Minister during a live televised question-and-answer session with the public. The new directives to party MNAs came after the prime minister chaired a series of meetings with his confidants and legal experts.

During the broadcast, the prime minister said he had more than one plan for Sunday's crucial vote and claimed he would surprise the whole nation.

Speaking to Dawn, Information Secretary Fawad Chaudhry confirmed the Prime Minister had withdrawn the letter previously sent to party MNAs urging them to cancel the Sunday sessions of the lower house of parliament and said PM Khan would join the PTI members lead yourself that day.

Mr Chaudhry claimed that nearly 140 party lawmakers were present at the dinner hosted by the Prime Minister on Saturday night, adding that the government had decided to hold a full debate in the National Assembly, giving both the opposition and members of the Treasury an opportunity would speak their minds.

Ahead of Sunday's session, political circles were buzzing with reports that the government had devised a strategy to physically prevent opposition members and nearly two dozen PTI dissidents currently staying at Sindh House and the nearby Marriott Hotel from entering Parliament House reach their protests.

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Geo News, citing unnamed sources, reported that the ruling party was planning to move its protesters to D-Chowk and right outside the main gate of Parliament House, despite clear orders from the Supreme Court, which had banned all types of gatherings in the high-security red zone .

Some channels also reported that the ruling party decided to extend the session and delay the vote as much as possible, allowing members to make lengthy speeches to try the opposition's patience.

As the debate progresses, some members of the Treasury may try to provoke a reaction by making provocative speeches to create a situation that could prompt the opposition to protest, which in turn may result in the speaker being forced to say the to postpone voting.

However, the information minister dismissed all of these reports, saying the entire process was being carried out in accordance with the constitution.

Through a tweet, Mr. Chaudhry also expressed his surprise at what he called a campaign by opposing media houses that PTI workers wanted bloodshed on the occasion. He said the PTI is a middle-class party and that there is no place for violence.

The protest of a civilized nation will be civilized. The reports of violent protests are part of dozens of fake news.

On the other hand, a senior opposition figure told Dawn they had already taken remedial action and would try to maintain constitutional peace and order on the crucial day.

The opposition member said they had already moved all of their MNAs to the Red Zone, quite close to the parliament building.

We don't want to leave any legal stone unturned. Our number is far in excess of the 172 needed to overthrow this government, said the opposition member tasked with making the arrangements to get the opposition members into parliament.