Shehbaz accuses Imran of ‘conspiring’ to divide nation

Gilani says NA can’t be dissolved as the motion has been filed

ISLAMABAD:

Hitting back at Prime Minister Imran Khan over his allegations that opposition was part of a “foreign conspiracy” to topple his government through no-confidence motion, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday claimed that the premier was conspiring to divide the nation instead of acknowledging his defeat.

The opposition leader, addressing a press conference in the federal capital, said that a treason case should be registered against Prime Minister Imran.

اسلام آباد: اپوزیشن لیڈر شہباز شریف کی اہم پریس کانفرنس۔ https://t.co/gqQBgy1iRA

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) April 2, 2022

“Opposition will bury Imran Khan’s un-democratic thinking according to the constitutional means... he will be held responsible for hurling threats [at opposition leaders after voting on no-trust motion],” he remarked.

He claimed that the no-trust move strategy would be successful in its last phase, and reminded the constitutional bodies to perform their duty and take all necessary steps.

He alleged that the premier refuses to follow the path of constitution and law, highlighting that the right to vote should be granted in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court (SC).

The PML-N president also clarified that his remarks that “beggars cannot be choosers” were wrongly linked to the United States.

He also said that if Pakistan wants to be a free nation, it has to break the shackles, highlighting how Japan and Germany progressed by working day and night.

“If we want to live like a free nation, we have to break the begging bowl… I have always maintained that if there is no self-reliance then there will be no freedom,” he added.

“I have said this many times before… the independence of the nation is meaningless if it is not economically self-sufficient,” he remarked.

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He highlighted how back in the day, the Punjab government led by him refused US aid due to drone strikes.

He also accused the premier of sabotaging Pakistan’s foreign relations, including its ties with China, highlighting how the Chinese president’s visit was delayed due to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Separately, former premier Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in a joint press conference with former finance minister Miftah Ismail and former foreign minister Khurram Dastgir, challenged PM Imran to face the no-confidence motion.

He called on civilian security officials and the administration of the federal capital not to follow the government’s orders.

He also made a remark about outgoing Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, saying that he would always be remembered as Muhammad Shah Rangeela, the Mughal emperor whose tenure was marked with rapid decline of the empire.

Moreover, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and former premier Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, while holding a separate press conference in Islamabad, linked economic stability to political stability, adding that if the ruling party resigns, they would go for by-elections.

He said that the allegations levelled by the incumbent premier against his allies regarding external funding were regrettable, adding that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s statement about Pakistan’s relations with US was correct.

He also said that the joint opposition has decided on the names for its candidates for the premiership and the chief ministership of Punjab. He added that Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) is a democratic party, which has decided to support the opposition unconditionally.

Referring to his political career, he said that he saw many ups and downs, witnessed prime ministers winning and losing. “When I was disqualified, I immediately went home, whoever punished me, they kept coming to my house,” he said. “If Imran Khan is a good sportsman then he should show sportsmanship.”

He pointed out that a no-trust motion has been filed against Prime Minister Imran so he cannot dissolve the assembly now.