PM Khan Addresses Nation Ahead of No-Confidence Vote

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday addressed the nation regarding the threatening letter / memo received by him ahead of the no-confidence vote against him in the National Assembly, which is scheduled for 3^rd April (Sunday). It bears mentioning that Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost the majority in the lower house as MQM-P announced its support for the Opposition.

“Today, I have to talk something important about the country’s future,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan, adding that Pakistan is at a “defining moment” in its history and it is left with two options. “But before that… I would like to tell the nation why I joined politics,” he said, as he went on to provide the reasons for choosing politics after a successful cricket career, where he won the 1992 World Cup for Pakistan.

“I already enjoyed fame and had money due to my faith in Allah, and I was part of a generation that was born to an independent state, unlike my parents,” he told the nation. “My parents used to tell me that I was lucky to have been born into an independent state and did not have to witness the rule of the British.” the premier added.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the founding fathers of Pakistan had envisioned a welfare state, based on the model of Riyasat-e-Madina, but the country was nowhere near that model. “I came into politics because I realized that Pakistan cannot move in the direction that Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam wanted.” he said, adding that Pakistan’s real reason was to establish an Islamic welfare state like Riyasat-e-Madina,

The premier said that when he started politics, he included three things in his party’s manifesto, including “justice, humanity, and self reliance as a Muslim nation cannot be a slave to anyone.” He added that during his youth, Pakistan was progressing and developing with “people from South Korea, the Middle East, and Malaysia used to come to Pakistan to study at universities here,”

However, the country lost its path due to the corrupt leaders and started witnessing a decline. “I want the children of this country to follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in order to lift the country out of that decline.” said the premier, adding that Pakistan has made tremendous sacrifices for the United States in the “war on terror” but never received the due appreciation.

He added that when the country’s northern areas were bombarded with US airstrikes, he was the only politician who staged protests against it. “None of the senior politicians raised their voice against it as they were afraid that it might draw the United States’ ire.

Prime Minister Imran Khan added that Pakistan has suffered so much because of the war on terror that when he joined politics, he aspired for an independent foreign policy. “I have always said that neither will I bow down before anyone and nor will I let my nation bow down.” said the premier. “It means I will not let my nation be a slave to anyone.” he added.

The prime minister then discussed the ‘threat letter’ that purportedly shows “evidence” of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government. In a slip of tongue, the Prime Minister mentioned the United States as the country behind the letter, however, he quickly changed his words.

“…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,” said the premier, while discussing the threatening letter received by his Government from foreign powers. The premier said that it was an “official letter” that was communicated to Pakistan’s ambassador, who was taking notes during the meeting. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that the letter mentioned that as long as he remains in power, Pakistan would suffer and face difficulties, however, if he was to leave, everything will be forgiven. “Is this our standing as a nation of 220 million people.” asked the premier to the entire nation. He added that the letter does not mention any reason why the foreign country doesn’t want Imran Khan in power.

“…our ambassador told the foreign official that the prime minister had visited Russia after deliberations with [the country’s top brass], But the foreign official stated that no, it was just Imran Khan’s decision,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan. added that 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, while referring to the three stooges aka PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif, PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and PDM Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.

The prime minister said the foreign forces have “developed a liking for them as they know where their money and properties are, while in their 10 years and 400 drone strikes, none of them condemned it even once.” The premier addressed Shahbaz’s criticism of him saying “absolutely not” to the United States in response to its reported demands of having military bases in Pakistan.

It bears mentioning that the Prime Minister was originally scheduled to address the nation yesterday, but it was delayed without providing any reason. The development comes as the Prime Minister is facing a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.

The MQM-P has announced its decision to side with the Opposition, which means that it has gained the support of 177 MNAs that is five more than the 172 required to gain a majority, while Imran Khan is left with the support of only 167 MNAs on his side.

Read more: PM Khan Loses ‘Nafees Log’ MQM-P Joins Opposition in No Confidence Motion.

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