ISLAMABAD, MAR 8: Opposition bigwigs on Monday appeared confident about the success of the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, which was submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat earlier in the day.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif and PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari held a joint press conference in Islamabad, seeming certain that the days of the PTI government were numbered.
Shehbaz kicked off the press conference by explaining the need for the no-confidence motion.
“What has been done to the country’s economy […] there is no other example of such destruction in Pakistan’s history,” he said, adding that the rise in inflation was the biggest concern.
He also lamented foreign policy failures, regretting the fact that “friends” that had supported the country during tough times were angered. “What type of foreign policy is it to upset China,” he asked, pointing towards criticism and “baseless allegations” against Chinese funded development projects.
The PML-N said PM Imran had criticised the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor before his election to the office of the prime minister.
He further censured PM Imran for lambasting European Union (EU) countries over asking Pakistan to vote against Russia during a recently held special session of the United Nations General Assembly. This, he lamented, had angered EU nations.
He also lashed out at PM Imran’s assertion that “foreign hands” were behind the opposition’s no-confidence motion, pointing towards rising inflation and the economic crisis. “I believe no accusation can be more foolish and baseless [than this].”
The PML-N president said that the opposition had taken the step after making an informed decision. “The motion has been submitted to the NA speaker,” he said, adding that it was a matter of “national interest”.
He said that opposition lawmakers held meetings for several weeks and had decided that the “people would not forgive them” if they had delayed it further.
Shehbaz said a meeting was held between the PPP and the PDM yesterday, where it was decided that the no-confidence motion would be submitted in the National Assembly today. “We kept it a secret,” he said, adding that the motion was eventually submitted today.
He said the decision to table the no-confidence motion was not taken for “personal interests, but in light of the wishes of people of Pakistan who have been praying for deliverance from this government”.
Asked whether the opposition had the support of the Balochistan National Party, which is an ally of the PTI, Shehbaz said the party’s delegation had met with him.
“It is our right, obligation and responsibility to approach everyone,” he said, adding that they would also appeal to those PTI members who had the conscience to “come forward and put an end to the destruction under the garb of tabdeeli (change)”.
Shehbaz said the opposition had also contacted another PTI ally, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and that it was a “political process”.
Asked whether the opposition had decided on a candidate for the prime minister, Shehbaz said the decision would be made after consulting all opposition parties.
When a reporter repeated the question, he said the name of the candidate would not be revealed now.
