Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is Pakistan's leading right-wing Islamic leader, made a comparison between New Delhi and Islamabad, in a way, thrashing his nation for "begging to avoid bankruptcy".

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is Pakistan's leading right-wing Islamic leader, made a comparison between New Delhi and Islamabad, in a way, thrashing his nation for "begging to avoid bankruptcy". While addressing a session of the National Assembly on Monday (Apr 29), Maulana Fazlur Rehman , the chief of his faction, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F), asked fellow lawmakers: "In August 1947, India and Pakistan got Independence together. Today, India is dreaming of becoming a global superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?" Cash-strapped Pakistan has been reeling under a severe economic crisis for more than two years, with last year marred with political instability. At one point, inflation in the country was nearly 38 per cent. In February 2023, its foreign currency reserves depleted to $3 billion. On the other side, as highlighted by Rehman, India has been forging ahead with strong economic growth and is aiming to become world's third largest economy in the coming years, with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) on Monday highlighting that the Indian economy is expected to achieve "higher" than 7 per cent growth in 2024-25. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. Watch the video here: "#India Dreaming Of Becoming Superpower And We Are Begging..." - Pakistan Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman#Superpower 🇮🇳 & #Bhikari 🇵🇰 no comparison. pic.twitter.com/73Rk4pgqJn — 𝗦𝗵𝘂𝗯𝗵𝗮𝗺 (𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗶 𝗞𝗮 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗿)🇮🇳 (@ShubhSayy) April 30, 2024 × Also read: Imran Khan’s former advisor sues Pakistan govt in UK over acid attack Rehman's remarks came as Pakistan narrowly escaped bankruptcy thanks to a $1.1 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Pakistan's Ministry of Finance and the IMF late on Monday night confirmed that the lender had approved the disbursement of a $1.1 billion tranche that completes a total loan of $3 billion, which was agreed to under a deal last year. IMF has approved the disbursement but with a warning. It said in a statement, "To move Pakistan from stabilisation to a strong and sustainable recovery the authorities need to continue their policy and reform efforts, including strict adherence to fiscal targets while protecting the vulnerable; a market-determined exchange rate to absorb external shocks; and broadening of structural reforms to support stronger and more inclusive growth." Also read: Armed men abduct Pakistani judge in restive region bordering Afghanistan Rehman also supported his erstwhile rival party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), saying the opposition party has the right to hold rallies and even form a government. During his speech in the National Assembly on Monday, Rehman slammed the powerful establishment for allegedly rigging the political system. He asked, "It is the right of the PTI to hold a rally. We also objected to the 2018 election and we object to this (February 8 polls) one too. If the 2018 poll was rigged, why is the current one not rigged?" (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan leader says, ‘India dreaming of becoming superpower, while we are begging’: WATCH

The use of force by deploying a heavy contingent of police commandos and the anti-terrorist force to expel volunteers of Ansarul Islam from Parliament Lodges shows how the Imran Khan government has now resorted to violence to suppress opponents, reported local media.

Notably, Islamabad Police on Thursday night stormed Parliament Lodges and made 19 arrests including key Opposition members of the National Assembly after members of Ansarul Islam, a uniformed volunteer force set up to protect the leadership of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), entered the Parliament Lodges in large numbers, reported the Dawn newspaper.

The police commandos broke into the suite of JUI leader Salahuddin Ayubi and arrested activists of Ansarul Islam, dragged them out of the room, shifted them to the police prisoner vans and took them to an unknown place.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-with-pakistan-stalled-after-imf-objects-to-imran-khans-relief-package-461581">IMF objects to Imran Khan's relief package, stalls talks with Pakistan</a>

With Prime Minister Imran Khan issuing warnings of dire consequences for leadership of Opposition parties after the introduction of a no-confidence motion against him, it is not surprising that the JUI-F brought volunteers to their Parliamentary residences, said the media reports, adding that resorting to violence by turning the official residences into a battlefield for hours shows the ire of the government over the no-trust motion moved against it.

The situation could have easily been diffused by involving the National Assembly Speaker, who is supposed to ensure that no one is forcibly stopped from casting their votes. However, the government does not seem to want to settle down things, according to the media outlet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/slip-of-tongue-pak-pm-discloses-his-conversations-with-gen-bajwa-while-slamming-opposition-461410">Slip of tongue: Pak PM discloses his conversations with Gen Bajwa while slamming opposition</a>

The tensions are further aggravated by warnings from Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid that the government would not let anyone take the law into their own hands.

Also, the ruling party planning a public meeting near National Assembly a day before the no-confidence vote shows that Imran Khan has decided to first fight the no-trust motion outside the House as his grip on his legislators has loosened.

Any further violence by the government, in case the situation is not in its favour, will solidify the popular belief that politicians cannot think beyond power and self-interest in Pakistan, added the media reports.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Bilawal Bhutto vows to 'dethrone' Imran Khan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bilawal-bhutto-vows-to-dethrone-imran-khan-460706/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Notably, this comes amid growing discontent against the Imran Khan government, with Pakistan`s main Opposition parties moving a no-confidence motion against the Pakistan PM in the National Assembly.

The use of force by deploying a heavy contingent of police commandos and the anti-terrorist force to expel volunteers of Ansarul Islam from Parliament Lodges shows how the Imran Khan government has now resorted to violence to suppress opponents, reported local media.

The use of force by deploying a heavy contingent of police commandos and the anti-terrorist force to expel volunteers of Ansarul Islam from Parliament Lodges shows how the Imran Khan government has now resorted to violence to suppress opponents, reported local media. Notably, Islamabad Police on Thursday night stormed Parliament Lodges and made 19 arrests including key Opposition members of the National Assembly after members of Ansarul Islam, a uniformed volunteer force set up to protect the leadership of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F), entered the Parliament Lodges in large numbers, reported the Dawn newspaper. The police commandos broke into the suite of JUI leader Salahuddin Ayubi and arrested activists of Ansarul Islam, dragged them out of the room, shifted them to the police prisoner vans and took them to an unknown place. Also read | IMF objects to Imran Khan's relief package, stalls talks with Pakistan With Prime Minister Imran Khan issuing warnings of dire consequences for leadership of Opposition parties after the introduction of a no-confidence motion against him, it is not surprising that the JUI-F brought volunteers to their Parliamentary residences, said the media reports, adding that resorting to violence by turning the official residences into a battlefield for hours shows the ire of the government over the no-trust motion moved against it. The situation could have easily been diffused by involving the National Assembly Speaker, who is supposed to ensure that no one is forcibly stopped from casting their votes. However, the government does not seem to want to settle down things, according to the media outlet. Also read | Slip of tongue: Pak PM discloses his conversations with Gen Bajwa while slamming opposition The tensions are further aggravated by warnings from Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid that the government would not let anyone take the law into their own hands. Also, the ruling party planning a public meeting near National Assembly a day before the no-confidence vote shows that Imran Khan has decided to first fight the no-trust motion outside the House as his grip on his legislators has loosened. Any further violence by the government, in case the situation is not in its favour, will solidify the popular belief that politicians cannot think beyond power and self-interest in Pakistan, added the media reports. Watch | Gravitas: Bilawal Bhutto vows to 'dethrone' Imran Khan Notably, this comes amid growing discontent against the Imran Khan government, with Pakistan`s main Opposition parties moving a no-confidence motion against the Pakistan PM in the National Assembly.

Opposition accuses Imran Khan of coercive measures ahead of no-trust vote

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Pakistan leader says, ‘India dreaming of becoming superpower, while we are begging’: WATCH

Opposition accuses Imran Khan of coercive measures ahead of no-trust vote