Struggle against 'foreign conspiracy' begins today: Imran Khan

It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty and democracy, says former PM

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday vowed to begin "freedom struggle against a "foreign conspiracy" of regime change in Pakistan.

"Pakistan became an independent state in 1947; but the freedom struggle begins again today against a foreign conspiracy of regime change," he wrote on his official Twitter handle on Sunday. “It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty and democracy,” he added.

Pakistan became an independent state in 1947; but the freedom struggle begins again today against a foreign conspiracy of regime change. It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty & democracy.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 10, 2022

The former premier's remarks came a day after he was voted out from power through a vote of a no-confidence motion, becoming the first prime minister in the country’s history to be unseated by a parliamentary revolt.

The joint opposition's no-confidence motion, which required 172 votes in the 342-strong parliament to pass, was supported by 174 lawmakers, shaking the political earth of the country with an unprecedented ouster of the premier and seemingly bringing to an end the protracted crisis.

Read more: 'Fight will go on': Ex-PM Imran's team vows to continue struggle

According to PTI's official Twitter handle, the party chief also chaired a meeting of CEC earlier in the day.

Chairman PTI @ImranKhanPTI chairing CEC meeting earlier today. #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/7fNbDPg3N2

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 10, 2022

In another tweet, it said that peaceful protest across all cities including Lahore Sialkot, Sahiwal, Karachi and Rawalpindi will be held tonight.

Peaceful protest across all cities on Sunday April 10
1) Lahore:Garden town KFC to Liberty Big City 08:00
2) Sialkot:Rang-Pura Chowk,9.00PM
3) Sahiwal,Mazdoor Pulli,9.30PM
4 )Karachi Rashid Minhas Road Millenium Mall,9:00
5) Liaaqaut Bagh Rawalpindi 9:30pm#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 10, 2022

“Peaceful protest will be carried out throughout the country today. The country stands with Imran Khan," former energy minister Hammad Azhar said during a media talk.

“Peaceful protest will be carried out throughout the country today. The country stands with Imran Khan!”-@Hammad_Azhar #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/vusHTlSYna

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 10, 2022

Imran Khan had also talked about his future plans during his last address as a prime minister to the nation on Friday. Urging the masses to come out against the “imported government” on Sunday night, Imran pledged in his televised address that he would not sit idly by and continue struggle against the foreign intervention into Pakistan’s internal matters.

However, even at that time he was hoping to turn the table "at the last minute".

Also read: Imran Khan seeks Memogate-style probe into ‘Lettergate’

He repeatedly asked the nation to decide if they wanted to live on the terms dictated by others. If the answer was affirmative, he asked, what was the purpose of celebrating Pakistan Day on March 23 and Independence Day on August 14 every year.

In his address, Imran stressed that the nation would have to decide what kind of Pakistan they wanted to live in. He also emphasised that the masses need to protect democracy and sovereignty of the country and not the army.

While urging the people to stand with him, he said that Pakistan should not be treated as a nation which could be used like a tissue paper. He emphasised that one-sided relationship would not work anymore.