<p>Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has accused his political opponents of hiring companies to launch a character assassination drive against him.</p>

<p>During his interview on Wednesday to a private news channel, the cricketer-turned-politician alleged that the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has hired marketing companies to produce "fake videos" to tarnish his reputation, reports The Express Tribune.</p>

<p>“They [the coalition parties] attack because these families have been involved in corruption for the last 35 years,” the PTI chairman stated.</p>

<p>His remarks come days after PTI-linked social media accounts warned supporters of the dangers of "deepfakes", videos which use a form of artificial intelligence called deep learning to create life-like but fake videos of people.</p>

<p>Accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of engaging in “mafia politics”, Imran said, “I had to face mafias, the biggest of which is the Sharif mafia [...] they always attack on a personal level because are indulging in corruption for the past 35 years. When someone [points out] their corruption, they attack a person's character.”</p>

<p>Khan claimed that “the Sharif family” is planning to launch a campaign against him after Eid.</p>

<p>“Now that Eid is over, you will see that they are fully prepared.”</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-meets-oic-general-secretary-discusses-kashmir-issue-475362">Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif meets OIC General secretary, discusses Kashmir issue</a></p>

<p>The former PM further said that his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith was also targeted in the past and a similar campaign was run against her accusing her of being part of the "Jewish lobby".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chor-chor-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-greeted-with-chants-calling-him-thief-474932" hreflang="en">'Chor chor': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif greeted in Saudi Arabia with chants calling him thief</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier in the day, Khan announced that he would be kicking off his campaign for "true freedom" on Friday (May 6) by staging a rally in Punjab’s Mianwali city.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan: PTI chief Imran Khan alleges conspiracy against him and associates</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-pti-chief-imran-khan-alleges-conspiracy-against-him-and-associates-476518/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has accused his political opponents of hiring companies to launch a character assassination drive against him. During his interview on Wednesday to a private news channel, the cricketer-turned-politician alleged that the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has hired marketing companies to produce "fake videos" to tarnish his reputation, reports The Express Tribune.

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has accused his political opponents of hiring companies to launch a character assassination drive against him. During his interview on Wednesday to a private news channel, the cricketer-turned-politician alleged that the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has hired marketing companies to produce "fake videos" to tarnish his reputation, reports The Express Tribune. “They [the coalition parties] attack because these families have been involved in corruption for the last 35 years,” the PTI chairman stated. His remarks come days after PTI-linked social media accounts warned supporters of the dangers of "deepfakes", videos which use a form of artificial intelligence called deep learning to create life-like but fake videos of people. Accusing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of engaging in “mafia politics”, Imran said, “I had to face mafias, the biggest of which is the Sharif mafia [...] they always attack on a personal level because are indulging in corruption for the past 35 years. When someone [points out] their corruption, they attack a person's character.” Khan claimed that “the Sharif family” is planning to launch a campaign against him after Eid. “Now that Eid is over, you will see that they are fully prepared.” Also read | Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif meets OIC General secretary, discusses Kashmir issue The former PM further said that his ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith was also targeted in the past and a similar campaign was run against her accusing her of being part of the "Jewish lobby". Also read | 'Chor chor': Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif greeted in Saudi Arabia with chants calling him thief Earlier in the day, Khan announced that he would be kicking off his campaign for "true freedom" on Friday (May 6) by staging a rally in Punjab’s Mianwali city. Watch | Pakistan: PTI chief Imran Khan alleges conspiracy against him and associates (With inputs from agencies)

Videos being prepared for my character assassination: Former Pak PM Imran Khan

<p>Imran Khan has asked his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf followers to assemble in the capital for yet another rally when he gives the call.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Comparing himself to Mohammad Mosaddegh, the Iranian prime minister who was ousted in a Western conspiracy in the 1950s, he again claimed of having been a victim of a US-led plot.&nbsp;</p>

<p>By provoking his supporters to march to the Pakistani capital, several critics say, he is trying to take Pakistan down a very dangerous path.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sample his quotes: "I want two million people to come to Islamabad when I give the call. I want all of you to go to the people and preach to them about our movement for true freedom."&nbsp;</p>

<p>This is a translation, as reported by Dawn newspaper. One can’t help but note the religious undertones of his words. His tone has moved to the extremes in the days following his unceremonious ouster, which had made him the first Pakistani PM to be removed through a no-confidence vote.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/im-the-dim-how-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-turned-out-to-be-a-terrible-caricature-of-the-champion-cricketer-467848"><strong>Also read | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer</strong></a></p>

<p>In the desperate days before the trust vote, he vaxed and waned on TV, and tried to dilute the spirit of the Pakistani Constitution. He attempted his best to even circumvent the Supreme Court’s order to convene the parliament and conduct the trust vote, after failing to do so in the first instance.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He used state media machinery to essentially start an election campaign even before the trust vote. On the eve of the confidence motion, he appeared via PTV, and asked Pakistanis to take to the streets on that Sunday, a move unbecoming of a prime minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch | Gravitas Plus: The many shades of Imran Khan</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-many-shades-of-imran-khan-468013/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Then, after much drama, PTI activists went to the streets indeed, having lost the trust vote on 10th April. &nbsp;</p>

<p>But there was one thing really remarkable about the whole drama: The lack of any significant political violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Bloodshed during political movements and protests is part of Pakistan's tortuous tryst with democracy. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during an election campaign rally in December, 2007. Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was tried for murdering a political opponent and hanged by the regime led by dictator Zia-ul-Haq who had deposed him in a coup at the height of violence caused by the then opposition’s allegations of election rigging. Most recently, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protests of 2021 led to nearly 30 deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But earlier this month, at one of the most dramatic upheavals in the country's political history, there was an almost 'peaceful' transition of power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In spite of fears, the Pakistani Army did not intervene, or make any provocative statements. May be the transition was what the army-intelligence establishment wanted and got.&nbsp;</p>

<p>May be the Pakistani people are more intelligent than the world gives them credit for.&nbsp;</p>

<p>May be they are just tired. Three years of Covid pandemic, inflation, financial crisis, unemployment and corruption may have left them numb.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Imran Khan appears to want to change that. He wants some kind of ruckus. From the rambling, televised national addresses in the run-up to the no-trust vote, to the fiery speeches at PTI rallies, he is trying to rouse passions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His calls are taking a sinister turn even abroad, with expatriate supporters taking out marches in the West. There was a noisy protest in front of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif's residence in London. And another in front of the house of Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Khan, who said it felt as if she was back in Lahore of the 1990s.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shehbaz Sharif, the new PM, is no saint, let’s face it. Nor is his brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also lost his post as a consequence of Supreme Court orders in corruption cases including those linked to the Panama Papers leaks. &nbsp;</p>

<p>But the dangerous game that Imran Khan is playing now, can potentially cause far-reaching damage to the body politic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Because he is continuously attacking key institutions of democracy: the courts, the legislative process, and now, the election commission. His supporters have been holding protests outside the election commission’s offices across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His issue is with the fact that the poll body may have played a role in putting a spanner on his maneuvers to dissolve parliament and assemblies and call a fresh election before the no-trust vote was taken up. The election commission submitted to the SC that it would take at least six months to hold elections due to delimitation exercise and other logistical issues. Basically it meant there wouldn’t be a new National Assembly as soon as Khan had expected.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Now, he has gone all guns blazing against the election commission. It is an irony of history that this was the same poll body that was on his side and blamed by those who lost the election to PTI in 2018.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There were widespread allegations that the elections were rigged. It was incredulous for many that Khan would emerge as a national leader, let alone a prime minister, in a matter of less than a decade. While the cricketer-turned-politician did have support in some pockets thanks largely to his anti-corruption movement, his party had languished for years since its founding in 1996.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Therefore, the election of 2018 was seen as stage-managed by the army-intelligence complex to oust the Sharifs from power. &nbsp;</p>

<p>But since he took over, Khan made several missteps, and made damaging public remarks and quixotic stances on international affairs. These embarrassed the army, alienated several allies and eventually made his position as Pakistan PM untenable even as the country wallowed in a never-ending economic crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sample some of his ill-timed remarks and unbecoming actions: He showed disrespect to several Gulf monarchs and dignitaries in both actions and words, that breached protocol and caused outcry. He appeared to endorse cross-border terrorism in India and Afghanistan, calling Pakistan a victim of it and referring to terrorists as martyrs almost in the same breath. He antagonised the West with adverse comments on Pakistan’s post-9/11 support to the US-led war in Afghanistan and war on terrorism. He couldn't dispel the notion that Pakistan intelligence and military had constantly supported Taliban terrorists. (it's a different matter that suddenly, calling Taliban terrorists is politically incorrect as they now rule Afghanistan). &nbsp;</p>

<p>His government schooled Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Kashmir issue, seeking a foreign ministers’ meeting on it and threatening to convene one in Pakistan if OIC didn’t. &nbsp;</p>

<p>He complicated relations with key Gulf allies by first endorsing, and later pulling out of an Islamic nations’ summit organised by Malaysia in 2019, which had unnerved Saudi Arabia and UAE, the real patriarchs of the Islamic political world, who are also the very hands that feeds Pakistan (yes literally, because at the time Khan was also desperately pleading for aid from them).&nbsp;</p>

<p>His remarks on French President Emmanuel Macron’s defence of freedom of expression in the context of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons fanned the fires of radicals like TLP. They held protests wanting to get the French ambassador removed. For long an ardent critic of Islamophobia, Khan appeared to cave in to such extremist groups who bayed for blood of the French envoy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His continued support of China, even publicly dismissing the alleged persecution of Uyghur Muslims by Pakistan’s ‘iron friend’, caused much unease in the US and the West.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And what probably became the nail on the metaphorical coffin was his visit to Russia and meeting with President Vladimir Putin, bang in the middle of the first days of Russian invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The problem is, he thinks he is very popular. He thinks he is still the cricketer loved everywhere in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And when he saw the ground beneath him crumbling, he suddenly raised the bogey of a foreign conspiracy to remove him. &nbsp;</p>

<p>It may or may not wash with the public. But that's for them to decide, come election time.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Till then, Imran Khan needs to tone down his messiah complex.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He will have to give the megalomaniac in him a break. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Otherwise, that megalomaniac will provoke some sections of his party to violence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And there will be blood.&nbsp;</p>

<p>And if Pakistan burns, Imran Khan will have blood on his hands.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<em><strong>(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)</strong></em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

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Imran Khan has asked his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf followers to assemble in the capital for yet another rally when he gives the call. Comparing himself to Mohammad Mosaddegh, the Iranian prime minister who was ousted in a Western conspiracy in the 1950s, he again claimed of having been a victim of a US-led plot.

Imran Khan has asked his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf followers to assemble in the capital for yet another rally when he gives the call. Comparing himself to Mohammad Mosaddegh, the Iranian prime minister who was ousted in a Western conspiracy in the 1950s, he again claimed of having been a victim of a US-led plot. By provoking his supporters to march to the Pakistani capital, several critics say, he is trying to take Pakistan down a very dangerous path. Sample his quotes: "I want two million people to come to Islamabad when I give the call. I want all of you to go to the people and preach to them about our movement for true freedom." This is a translation, as reported by Dawn newspaper. One can’t help but note the religious undertones of his words. His tone has moved to the extremes in the days following his unceremonious ouster, which had made him the first Pakistani PM to be removed through a no-confidence vote. Also read | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer In the desperate days before the trust vote, he vaxed and waned on TV, and tried to dilute the spirit of the Pakistani Constitution. He attempted his best to even circumvent the Supreme Court’s order to convene the parliament and conduct the trust vote, after failing to do so in the first instance. He used state media machinery to essentially start an election campaign even before the trust vote. On the eve of the confidence motion, he appeared via PTV, and asked Pakistanis to take to the streets on that Sunday, a move unbecoming of a prime minister. Watch | Gravitas Plus: The many shades of Imran Khan Then, after much drama, PTI activists went to the streets indeed, having lost the trust vote on 10th April. But there was one thing really remarkable about the whole drama: The lack of any significant political violence. Bloodshed during political movements and protests is part of Pakistan's tortuous tryst with democracy. Former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during an election campaign rally in December, 2007. Her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was tried for murdering a political opponent and hanged by the regime led by dictator Zia-ul-Haq who had deposed him in a coup at the height of violence caused by the then opposition’s allegations of election rigging. Most recently, the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) protests of 2021 led to nearly 30 deaths. But earlier this month, at one of the most dramatic upheavals in the country's political history, there was an almost 'peaceful' transition of power. In spite of fears, the Pakistani Army did not intervene, or make any provocative statements. May be the transition was what the army-intelligence establishment wanted and got. May be the Pakistani people are more intelligent than the world gives them credit for. May be they are just tired. Three years of Covid pandemic, inflation, financial crisis, unemployment and corruption may have left them numb. But Imran Khan appears to want to change that. He wants some kind of ruckus. From the rambling, televised national addresses in the run-up to the no-trust vote, to the fiery speeches at PTI rallies, he is trying to rouse passions. His calls are taking a sinister turn even abroad, with expatriate supporters taking out marches in the West. There was a noisy protest in front of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif's residence in London. And another in front of the house of Jemima Goldsmith, the former wife of Khan, who said it felt as if she was back in Lahore of the 1990s. Shehbaz Sharif, the new PM, is no saint, let’s face it. Nor is his brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also lost his post as a consequence of Supreme Court orders in corruption cases including those linked to the Panama Papers leaks. But the dangerous game that Imran Khan is playing now, can potentially cause far-reaching damage to the body politic. Because he is continuously attacking key institutions of democracy: the courts, the legislative process, and now, the election commission. His supporters have been holding protests outside the election commission’s offices across the country. His issue is with the fact that the poll body may have played a role in putting a spanner on his maneuvers to dissolve parliament and assemblies and call a fresh election before the no-trust vote was taken up. The election commission submitted to the SC that it would take at least six months to hold elections due to delimitation exercise and other logistical issues. Basically it meant there wouldn’t be a new National Assembly as soon as Khan had expected. Now, he has gone all guns blazing against the election commission. It is an irony of history that this was the same poll body that was on his side and blamed by those who lost the election to PTI in 2018. There were widespread allegations that the elections were rigged. It was incredulous for many that Khan would emerge as a national leader, let alone a prime minister, in a matter of less than a decade. While the cricketer-turned-politician did have support in some pockets thanks largely to his anti-corruption movement, his party had languished for years since its founding in 1996. Therefore, the election of 2018 was seen as stage-managed by the army-intelligence complex to oust the Sharifs from power. But since he took over, Khan made several missteps, and made damaging public remarks and quixotic stances on international affairs. These embarrassed the army, alienated several allies and eventually made his position as Pakistan PM untenable even as the country wallowed in a never-ending economic crisis. Sample some of his ill-timed remarks and unbecoming actions: He showed disrespect to several Gulf monarchs and dignitaries in both actions and words, that breached protocol and caused outcry. He appeared to endorse cross-border terrorism in India and Afghanistan, calling Pakistan a victim of it and referring to terrorists as martyrs almost in the same breath. He antagonised the West with adverse comments on Pakistan’s post-9/11 support to the US-led war in Afghanistan and war on terrorism. He couldn't dispel the notion that Pakistan intelligence and military had constantly supported Taliban terrorists. (it's a different matter that suddenly, calling Taliban terrorists is politically incorrect as they now rule Afghanistan). His government schooled Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Kashmir issue, seeking a foreign ministers’ meeting on it and threatening to convene one in Pakistan if OIC didn’t. He complicated relations with key Gulf allies by first endorsing, and later pulling out of an Islamic nations’ summit organised by Malaysia in 2019, which had unnerved Saudi Arabia and UAE, the real patriarchs of the Islamic political world, who are also the very hands that feeds Pakistan (yes literally, because at the time Khan was also desperately pleading for aid from them). His remarks on French President Emmanuel Macron’s defence of freedom of expression in the context of the Prophet Muhammad cartoons fanned the fires of radicals like TLP. They held protests wanting to get the French ambassador removed. For long an ardent critic of Islamophobia, Khan appeared to cave in to such extremist groups who bayed for blood of the French envoy. His continued support of China, even publicly dismissing the alleged persecution of Uyghur Muslims by Pakistan’s ‘iron friend’, caused much unease in the US and the West. And what probably became the nail on the metaphorical coffin was his visit to Russia and meeting with President Vladimir Putin, bang in the middle of the first days of Russian invasion of Ukraine. The problem is, he thinks he is very popular. He thinks he is still the cricketer loved everywhere in the world. And when he saw the ground beneath him crumbling, he suddenly raised the bogey of a foreign conspiracy to remove him. It may or may not wash with the public. But that's for them to decide, come election time. Till then, Imran Khan needs to tone down his messiah complex. He will have to give the megalomaniac in him a break. Otherwise, that megalomaniac will provoke some sections of his party to violence. And there will be blood. And if Pakistan burns, Imran Khan will have blood on his hands. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Imran Khan, if Pakistan burns, you will have blood on your hands

<p>Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan took a veiled jibe at the Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, claiming that "some elements" in the establishment were responsible for toppling his government.</p>

<p>Khan made these comments in his first-ever Twitter Space, with around 165K listeners joining in.</p>

<p>His party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that the former PM has broken all the past records by conducting the largest ever Twitter Space. The discussion continued for more than an hour on Wednesday night.</p>

<p>"There are also humans in institutions. If one or two individuals do something wrong, the entire institution is not responsible. If one person (in an apparent reference to Army chief General Bajwa) makes a mistake, this does not mean that the whole institution is at fault,” he told his reporters.</p>

<p>However, the cricketer-turned-politician was quick to praise the army saying all institutions are not corrupt but some "elements indulge in bad practices".</p>

<p>"Pakistan needs the Armed forces more than Imran Khan. Had the strong Army not been here, Pakistan might have been dismembered into three pieces,” he said.</p>

<p>Khan, 69, was unceremoniously ousted after the National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against his government on April 10 and also reportedly lost the support of the army.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharifs-long-awaited-cabinet-takes-oath-today-472060"><strong>&nbsp;</strong>Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's long-awaited cabinet takes oath&nbsp;</a></p>

<p>The ties between Pakistan Army and Imran Khan had soured over differences over the appointment of the next ISI spy agency chief.</p>

<p>The report on fractured ties between Khan and th4e army was confirmed by former information minister Fawad Chaudhry.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharifs-long-awaited-cabinet-takes-oath-today-472060"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/low-iq-woman-with-expensive-eye-shades-imran-khan-aide-insults-pakistan-minister-hina-rabbani-khar-472495">'Low IQ woman with expensive eye shades': Imran Khan aide insults Pakistan minister Hina Rabbani Khar</a></p>

<p>In an interview with a news channel on Wednesday, he said that the relations between the establishment and the Khan-led government had strained for months.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Is Imran Khan planning a rebellion?</strong></p>

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<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan took a veiled jibe at the Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, claiming that "some elements" in the establishment were responsible for toppling his government.

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan took a veiled jibe at the Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, claiming that "some elements" in the establishment were responsible for toppling his government. Khan made these comments in his first-ever Twitter Space, with around 165K listeners joining in. His party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that the former PM has broken all the past records by conducting the largest ever Twitter Space. The discussion continued for more than an hour on Wednesday night. "There are also humans in institutions. If one or two individuals do something wrong, the entire institution is not responsible. If one person (in an apparent reference to Army chief General Bajwa) makes a mistake, this does not mean that the whole institution is at fault,” he told his reporters. However, the cricketer-turned-politician was quick to praise the army saying all institutions are not corrupt but some "elements indulge in bad practices". "Pakistan needs the Armed forces more than Imran Khan. Had the strong Army not been here, Pakistan might have been dismembered into three pieces,” he said. Khan, 69, was unceremoniously ousted after the National Assembly passed a no-confidence motion against his government on April 10 and also reportedly lost the support of the army. Also read | Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's long-awaited cabinet takes oath The ties between Pakistan Army and Imran Khan had soured over differences over the appointment of the next ISI spy agency chief. The report on fractured ties between Khan and th4e army was confirmed by former information minister Fawad Chaudhry. Also read | 'Low IQ woman with expensive eye shades': Imran Khan aide insults Pakistan minister Hina Rabbani Khar In an interview with a news channel on Wednesday, he said that the relations between the establishment and the Khan-led government had strained for months. Watch | Gravitas: Is Imran Khan planning a rebellion? (With inputs from agencies)

Imran Khan indirectly blames Pak Army chief Bajwa for his ouster

<p>More details appeared to have emerged related to the so-called "threat letter" connected to the "foreign conspiracy" that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said multiple times.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to Khan, the letter was apparently the reason behind his removal from office after he lost the no-confidence voting in the Parliament. The opposition parties have denied such claims.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A media report stated that the conversation that rattled the former government in Pakistan took place on March 7 at a farewell lunch for Asad Majeed Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/significant-rise-in-cross-border-attacks-on-pakistan-afghanistan-border-471659">Significant rise in cross-border attacks on Pakistan-Afghanistan border</a></strong></p>

<p>Asad Majeed Khan was the country's ambassador to the US and the&nbsp;farewell lunch was organised at his residence in Washington, which is also known as Pakistan House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan-based media outlet DAWN cited diplomatic and official sources to report that a note-taker also attended the lunch meeting and the cable that Ambassador Khan later sent to Islamabad was based on the notes taken by him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The farewell lunch was apparently attended by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Secretary Lesslie C Viguerie.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-sold-state-gifts-alleges-pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-471619">Imran Khan sold state gifts, alleges Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif</a></strong></p>

<p>The paper noted that the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict dominated the talks. During the talks, Washington had expressed disappointment over Imran Khan's visit to Russia.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by the paper, the sources said the conversation during the lunch then drifted to the current political environment in Pakistan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Donald Lu pointed out that Washington was keenly watching the political situation in the South Asian nation and one source even claimed that Lu's arguments were "alarming and far from routine". Although, he did not threaten a regime change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The source also claimed that no one attending the meeting felt that the Americans were hatching a conspiracy to topple the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The source as quoted by the paper said, "No, there's no conspiracy. Nobody got that impression. But they did say the outcome will impact bilateral ties, which can be interpreted either way."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I never thought it was a US conspiracy, but it triggered certain reactions that impacted the domestic political situation in Pakistan. What Lu said reflected what the Biden administration feels and thinks. It was very unusual. Not one bit routine," another source as quoted by the paper said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan bombs Afghan border areas, Taliban issues warning over killing of civilians</strong></p>

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More details appeared to have emerged related to the so-called "threat letter" connected to the "foreign conspiracy" that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said multiple times.

More details appeared to have emerged related to the so-called "threat letter" connected to the "foreign conspiracy" that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said multiple times. According to Khan, the letter was apparently the reason behind his removal from office after he lost the no-confidence voting in the Parliament. The opposition parties have denied such claims. A media report stated that the conversation that rattled the former government in Pakistan took place on March 7 at a farewell lunch for Asad Majeed Khan. ALSO READ | Significant rise in cross-border attacks on Pakistan-Afghanistan border Asad Majeed Khan was the country's ambassador to the US and the farewell lunch was organised at his residence in Washington, which is also known as Pakistan House. Pakistan-based media outlet DAWN cited diplomatic and official sources to report that a note-taker also attended the lunch meeting and the cable that Ambassador Khan later sent to Islamabad was based on the notes taken by him. The farewell lunch was apparently attended by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Deputy Assistant Secretary Lesslie C Viguerie. ALSO READ | Imran Khan sold state gifts, alleges Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif The paper noted that the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict dominated the talks. During the talks, Washington had expressed disappointment over Imran Khan's visit to Russia. As quoted by the paper, the sources said the conversation during the lunch then drifted to the current political environment in Pakistan. Donald Lu pointed out that Washington was keenly watching the political situation in the South Asian nation and one source even claimed that Lu's arguments were "alarming and far from routine". Although, he did not threaten a regime change. The source also claimed that no one attending the meeting felt that the Americans were hatching a conspiracy to topple the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government led by Khan. The source as quoted by the paper said, "No, there's no conspiracy. Nobody got that impression. But they did say the outcome will impact bilateral ties, which can be interpreted either way." "I never thought it was a US conspiracy, but it triggered certain reactions that impacted the domestic political situation in Pakistan. What Lu said reflected what the Biden administration feels and thinks. It was very unusual. Not one bit routine," another source as quoted by the paper said. WATCH | Pakistan bombs Afghan border areas, Taliban issues warning over killing of civilians ×

Note-taker at farewell lunch behind former Pakistan PM Imran Khan's 'foreign conspiracy' charge: Report

<p>Pakistan Army on Thursday denied any “conspiracy” to topple the erstwhile Imran Khan government and added that such a word was not used during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month.</p>

<p>Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)—the media wing of the army— Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar rebutted former prime minister Imran Khan’s claim that his ouster was part of a wider conspiracy by US, and that it was conveyed during the NSC meet.</p>

<p>Iftikhar said that the Pakistan Army has always been an apolitical institution, adding that it has “nothing to do with politics”.</p>

<p>“As far as military response about the NSC meeting is considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued ... which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting,” he said.</p>

<p>"The words used are in front of you ... as I said ... the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not," he added.</p>

<p>The army officer said that he was in no position to divulge the minutes of the NSC meeting, saying that it can be declassified if the government decides.</p>

<p>He also said that the former Prime Minister had approached the army chief to help find a solution to the political crisis.</p>

<p>“It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk. So, the army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said.</p>

<p>The three options were: no-confidence motion should be held, the prime minister resigns or the no-confidence motion was retracted and the assemblies get dissolved.</p>

<p>“No option from the establishment was given,” Gen Iftikhar said.</p>

<p>Imran Khan had claimed that the “establishment” had given him three options: “resignation, no-confidence (vote) or elections” after the opposition filed a no-trust motion against him in Parliament.</p>

<p>Gen Iftikar also lashed out at Imran Khan for raising doubts over the country's capability to safeguard its nuclear assets during a roadshow in Peshawar on Wednesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-claims-us-official-behind-foreign-conspiracy-to-oust-him-469484">&nbsp;</a></strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-claims-us-official-behind-foreign-conspiracy-to-oust-him-469484">Pak PM Imran Khan claims US official behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ to oust him &nbsp;</a></p>

<p>“Nuclear assets are not associated with anyone political government. All political parties who have come have worked with full honesty to get our nuclear program to where it is today,” he said.</p>

<p>“Our Nuclear program is as per international systems is one of the best. Our nuclear program does not have any threats neither should this be brought under political discussion,” he added.</p>

<p>The military officer also informed that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa won’t be seeking an extension of his tenure.</p>

<p>“Chief of army staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022,” he said.</p>

<p>It is generally accepted and tacitly understood that Pakistan Army wields considerable influence in the country’s politics.</p>

<p>No prime ministers have ever survived without the support of the army.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/im-the-dim-how-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-turned-out-to-be-a-terrible-caricature-of-the-champion-cricketer-467848">'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer</a></p>

<p>The same holds true for Imran Khan, as the opposition used to call him a “puppet prime minister” claiming that he won the elections due to the army’s influence.</p>

<p>According to reports, Khan had a fallout with the army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year.</p>

<p>Though Khan agreed finally, it soured his ties with the powerful army.</p>

<p>Khan wanted to keep Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the spy chief but the army high command transferred him by appointing Corps Commander in Peshawar.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Imran Khan 'Will Smithed' by Pak Army Chief?</strong></p>

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Pakistan Army on Thursday denied any “conspiracy” to topple the erstwhile Imran Khan government and added that such a word was not used during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month.

Pakistan Army on Thursday denied any “conspiracy” to topple the erstwhile Imran Khan government and added that such a word was not used during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)—the media wing of the army— Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar rebutted former prime minister Imran Khan’s claim that his ouster was part of a wider conspiracy by US, and that it was conveyed during the NSC meet. Iftikhar said that the Pakistan Army has always been an apolitical institution, adding that it has “nothing to do with politics”. “As far as military response about the NSC meeting is considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued ... which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting,” he said. "The words used are in front of you ... as I said ... the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not," he added. The army officer said that he was in no position to divulge the minutes of the NSC meeting, saying that it can be declassified if the government decides. He also said that the former Prime Minister had approached the army chief to help find a solution to the political crisis. “It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk. So, the army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said. The three options were: no-confidence motion should be held, the prime minister resigns or the no-confidence motion was retracted and the assemblies get dissolved. “No option from the establishment was given,” Gen Iftikhar said. Imran Khan had claimed that the “establishment” had given him three options: “resignation, no-confidence (vote) or elections” after the opposition filed a no-trust motion against him in Parliament. Gen Iftikar also lashed out at Imran Khan for raising doubts over the country's capability to safeguard its nuclear assets during a roadshow in Peshawar on Wednesday. Also read | Pak PM Imran Khan claims US official behind ‘foreign conspiracy’ to oust him “Nuclear assets are not associated with anyone political government. All political parties who have come have worked with full honesty to get our nuclear program to where it is today,” he said. “Our Nuclear program is as per international systems is one of the best. Our nuclear program does not have any threats neither should this be brought under political discussion,” he added. The military officer also informed that Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa won’t be seeking an extension of his tenure. “Chief of army staff is neither seeking an extension nor will he accept an extension. No matter what, he will be retiring on the 29th of November 2022,” he said. It is generally accepted and tacitly understood that Pakistan Army wields considerable influence in the country’s politics. No prime ministers have ever survived without the support of the army. Also read | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer The same holds true for Imran Khan, as the opposition used to call him a “puppet prime minister” claiming that he won the elections due to the army’s influence. According to reports, Khan had a fallout with the army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year. Though Khan agreed finally, it soured his ties with the powerful army. Khan wanted to keep Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the spy chief but the army high command transferred him by appointing Corps Commander in Peshawar. Watch | Gravitas: Imran Khan 'Will Smithed' by Pak Army Chief?

Pak Army calls Imran Khan’s bluff, trashes ‘conspiracy’ in ousting his government

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<p>Pakistan's parliament chose Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country on Monday (April 11) after a political crisis in the South Asian nation resulted in the ouster of his predecessor Imran Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In his inaugural speech, new PM Shehbaz Sharif raised a range of issues, here are the key points.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>On the "threat letter"</strong></p>

<p>Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan quite a few times mentioned the involvement of a "foreign conspiracy" to oust him from power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing the same, Shehbaz said the letter came on March 7, but decisions to bring a no-trust motion were made way before that. He said, "So, if (what the previous government claimed) is a lie, then the matter should be disclosed transparently before the public."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shehbaz Sharif further said that the parliament's security committee would be given a briefing on the "threat letter" to the members of the committee in presence of the armed forces personnel and bureaucrats, the Inter-Services Intelligence chief, foreign secretary, and the ambassador who wrote it.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If there's an iota of evidence that we were backed by foreign conspirators ... Then with you Mr speaker and God as my witness, I will not think for another second and resign from the office of the prime minister," Shehbaz said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/man-with-corruption-cases-of-billions-of-rupees-imran-khan-on-shehbaz-sharif-470238">Man with 'corruption cases' of billions of rupees: Imran Khan on Shehbaz Sharif</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>On Pakistan-China ties</strong></p>

<p>During his address, Shehbaz also lauded China for its support to Pakistan on the world stage and said the friendship between the two countries will remain intact.</p>

<p>He said, "There should be no doubt that China and Pakistan are time tested friends and nobody can separate us, it will last till the judgement day. I assure that CPEC will go onwards at Pakistan's speed. Thankful to President Xi Jinping."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>On Pakistan-US ties</strong></p>

<p>During his address, Shehbaz Sharif weighed in on Pakistan and US relations. He said, "Pakistan has historic relations with the US. There were hiccups. Some confusion some ups and downs."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pti-members-resign-from-pak-parliament-with-its-chief-imran-khan-saying-not-to-shehbaaz-sharif-470201">PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>On Pakistan-India ties and Kashmir issue</strong></p>

<p>PM Shehbaz Sharif also said that he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and claimed that people in Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shehbaz also asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan's parliament chose Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country on Monday (April 11) after a political crisis in the South Asian nation resulted in the ouster of his predecessor Imran Khan.

Pakistan's parliament chose Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of the country on Monday (April 11) after a political crisis in the South Asian nation resulted in the ouster of his predecessor Imran Khan. In his inaugural speech, new PM Shehbaz Sharif raised a range of issues, here are the key points. On the "threat letter" Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan quite a few times mentioned the involvement of a "foreign conspiracy" to oust him from power. Addressing the same, Shehbaz said the letter came on March 7, but decisions to bring a no-trust motion were made way before that. He said, "So, if (what the previous government claimed) is a lie, then the matter should be disclosed transparently before the public." Shehbaz Sharif further said that the parliament's security committee would be given a briefing on the "threat letter" to the members of the committee in presence of the armed forces personnel and bureaucrats, the Inter-Services Intelligence chief, foreign secretary, and the ambassador who wrote it. "If there's an iota of evidence that we were backed by foreign conspirators ... Then with you Mr speaker and God as my witness, I will not think for another second and resign from the office of the prime minister," Shehbaz said. ALSO READ | Man with 'corruption cases' of billions of rupees: Imran Khan on Shehbaz Sharif On Pakistan-China ties During his address, Shehbaz also lauded China for its support to Pakistan on the world stage and said the friendship between the two countries will remain intact. He said, "There should be no doubt that China and Pakistan are time tested friends and nobody can separate us, it will last till the judgement day. I assure that CPEC will go onwards at Pakistan's speed. Thankful to President Xi Jinping." On Pakistan-US ties During his address, Shehbaz Sharif weighed in on Pakistan and US relations. He said, "Pakistan has historic relations with the US. There were hiccups. Some confusion some ups and downs." ALSO READ | PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif On Pakistan-India ties and Kashmir issue PM Shehbaz Sharif also said that he wants good relations with India, but it can't be achieved without the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He raised the issue of abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and claimed that people in Pakistan will provide them with "diplomatic and moral support" besides raising the matter at every international forum. Shehbaz also asked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come forward to address the Kashmir issue so that the two countries could concentrate on tackling poverty, unemployment, shortage of medicines and other issues on the two sides of the border.

From 'threat letter' to China ties to Kashmir issue: Key points from Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's address

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<p>Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the National Assembly before the session on the process of electing a new prime minister began on Monday (April 11).&nbsp;</p>

<p>The leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif is all set to become the new prime minister of a nation of 220 million people.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While announcing that he will not participate in the process of electing a new PM, Imran Khan&nbsp;urged the nation to not choose Sharif, the leader of the united opposition. Khan also labelled&nbsp;Shehbaz Sharif&nbsp;as an ''extremely corrupt'' man.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As tweeted by the official handle of the PTI party, Khan said, "The man who has 16 billion and 8 billion rupees of corruption cases, whoever selects and elects the Prime Minister cannot be a bigger insult to the country. We are resigning from the National Assembly."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pti-members-resign-from-pak-parliament-with-its-chief-imran-khan-saying-not-to-shehbaaz-sharif-470201">PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="rtl" lang="ur">جس آدمی پر 16 ارب اور 8 ارب روپے کے کرپشن کیسز ہیں،اسے جو بھی وزیراعظم سلیکٹ اور الیکٹ کرتا ہے اس سے بڑی ملک کی توہین نہیں ہو سکتی۔ہم قومی اسمبلی سے استعفے دے رہے ہیں، عمران خان<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%BE%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%B9%DA%88_%D8%AD%DA%A9%D9%88%D9%85%D8%AA_%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D8%B8%D9%88%D8%B1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور</a> <a href="https://t.co/hzQf7y1fDe">pic.twitter.com/hzQf7y1fDe</a></p>
— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1513449644977803266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, a Pakistani court on Monday deferred until April 27 the indictment of joint Opposition's prime ministerial candidate Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in a high-profile money laundering case.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The court also extended their pre-arrest bail till the same day. The move has allowed the PML-N president to become the new prime minister.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As reported by India-based PTI news agency quoting a court official, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court on Monday accepted Shehbaz's application seeking exemption from personal appearance in court in the money laundering proceedings for one day.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shehbaz and his sons - Hamza and Suleman - were booked by FIA in November 2020 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act. Suleman is absconding and residing in the UK.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The FIA investigation has detected 28&nbsp;<em>benami</em>&nbsp;accounts, allegedly of the Shehbaz family, through which an amount to the tune of PKR 14 billion was laundered from 2008 to 2018. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions and the amount was kept in "hidden accounts" and given to Shehbaz in his personal capacity.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Shehbaz Sharif set to be elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the National Assembly before the session on the process of electing a new prime minister began on Monday (April 11).

Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and other members of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) resigned from the National Assembly before the session on the process of electing a new prime minister began on Monday (April 11). The leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) Shehbaz Sharif is all set to become the new prime minister of a nation of 220 million people. While announcing that he will not participate in the process of electing a new PM, Imran Khan urged the nation to not choose Sharif, the leader of the united opposition. Khan also labelled Shehbaz Sharif as an ''extremely corrupt'' man. As tweeted by the official handle of the PTI party, Khan said, "The man who has 16 billion and 8 billion rupees of corruption cases, whoever selects and elects the Prime Minister cannot be a bigger insult to the country. We are resigning from the National Assembly." ALSO READ | PTI members resign from Pak parliament with its chief Imran Khan saying not to elect Shehbaaz Sharif جس آدمی پر 16 ارب اور 8 ارب روپے کے کرپشن کیسز ہیں،اسے جو بھی وزیراعظم سلیکٹ اور الیکٹ کرتا ہے اس سے بڑی ملک کی توہین نہیں ہو سکتی۔ہم قومی اسمبلی سے استعفے دے رہے ہیں، عمران خان#امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/hzQf7y1fDe — PTI (@PTIofficial) April 11, 2022 × Meanwhile, a Pakistani court on Monday deferred until April 27 the indictment of joint Opposition's prime ministerial candidate Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in a high-profile money laundering case. The court also extended their pre-arrest bail till the same day. The move has allowed the PML-N president to become the new prime minister. As reported by India-based PTI news agency quoting a court official, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court on Monday accepted Shehbaz's application seeking exemption from personal appearance in court in the money laundering proceedings for one day. Shehbaz and his sons - Hamza and Suleman - were booked by FIA in November 2020 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act. Suleman is absconding and residing in the UK. The FIA investigation has detected 28 benami accounts, allegedly of the Shehbaz family, through which an amount to the tune of PKR 14 billion was laundered from 2008 to 2018. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions and the amount was kept in "hidden accounts" and given to Shehbaz in his personal capacity. WATCH | Shehbaz Sharif set to be elected as Prime Minister of Pakistan × (With inputs from agencies)

Man with 'corruption cases' of billions of rupees: Imran Khan on Shehbaz Sharif

<p>In a major setback for Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered on Thursday that the no-confidence motion, which was denied by the deputy speaker last Sunday, be held by 10: 30 a.m. on Saturday (April 9).</p>

<p>In a unanimous 5-0 verdict, the top court bench, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, quashed the presidential order to dissolve Parliament, which was done at the behest of Khan.</p>

<p>As soon as the verdict was announced, opposition members shouted slogans asking Khan to quit.</p>

<p>After days of hearing arguments from the government and opposition lawyers, the court on Thursday asked the election commission about their preparedness to hold polls. It said the delimitation of constuencies as per the census would take up to four months. Khan was hoping to get polls done in 90 days.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/democracy-is-the-best-revenge-pak-oppon-leaders-welcome-scs-decision-as-imran-summons-mps-469208"><strong>Also read | 'Democracy is the best revenge': Pak Opposition leaders welcome SC's decision as Imran summons MPs</strong></a></p>

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<h5>The Supreme Court's judgement stated that "if the no-confidence motion against the prime minister succeeds, the assembly will pick the new prime minister."</h5>
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<p>The verdict seems to have put paid to Khan's attempts to circumvent due legislative process.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Supreme Court's decision&nbsp;has been welcomed by Pakistan's opposition leaders.</p>

<p>PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter to praise the Supreme Court's decision and congratulate the country.&nbsp;<br />
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<p>Sunday's National Assembly session was dismissed by the deputy speaker, Qasim Khan Suri, less than an hour after it started. The deputy speaker, who was himself filling in for the speaker, Asad Qasier, against whom the opposition had brought a no-confidence motion just before the session, called it unconstitutional.</p>

<p>Almost simultaneously, Khan addressed the nation on TV, seeking the president to dissolve parliament and local assemblies, which the latter promptly complied with.</p>

<p>Khan then dismissed the cabinet and started the process of cobbling together an interim government.</p>

<p>But the top court on Thursday called no-ball on the cricketer-turned-politician's deft moves.</p>


In a major setback for Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered on Thursday that the no-confidence motion, which was denied by the deputy speaker last Sunday, be held by 10: 30 a.

In a major setback for Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistan Supreme Court ordered on Thursday that the no-confidence motion, which was denied by the deputy speaker last Sunday, be held by 10: 30 a.m. on Saturday (April 9). In a unanimous 5-0 verdict, the top court bench, led by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, quashed the presidential order to dissolve Parliament, which was done at the behest of Khan. As soon as the verdict was announced, opposition members shouted slogans asking Khan to quit. After days of hearing arguments from the government and opposition lawyers, the court on Thursday asked the election commission about their preparedness to hold polls. It said the delimitation of constuencies as per the census would take up to four months. Khan was hoping to get polls done in 90 days. Also read | 'Democracy is the best revenge': Pak Opposition leaders welcome SC's decision as Imran summons MPs Pakistan Supreme Court order | 7 April, 2022 by Pratik Prasenjit on Scribd × The Supreme Court's judgement stated that "if the no-confidence motion against the prime minister succeeds, the assembly will pick the new prime minister." × The verdict seems to have put paid to Khan's attempts to circumvent due legislative process. The Supreme Court's decision has been welcomed by Pakistan's opposition leaders. PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz took to Twitter to praise the Supreme Court's decision and congratulate the country. Sunday's National Assembly session was dismissed by the deputy speaker, Qasim Khan Suri, less than an hour after it started. The deputy speaker, who was himself filling in for the speaker, Asad Qasier, against whom the opposition had brought a no-confidence motion just before the session, called it unconstitutional. Almost simultaneously, Khan addressed the nation on TV, seeking the president to dissolve parliament and local assemblies, which the latter promptly complied with. Khan then dismissed the cabinet and started the process of cobbling together an interim government. But the top court on Thursday called no-ball on the cricketer-turned-politician's deft moves.

Shocking setback for PM Imran Khan: Pak SC orders no-confidence motion by Saturday morning

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<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan managed to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion on Sunday (April 3) presented by the opposition parties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was expected that PM Khan will be removed from power but the country's assembly deputy speaker refused to accept the motion of no confidence in the government.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After that, the national assembly of the country was also dissolved and reports have stated fresh elections will take place in 90 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-political-crisis-imran-khan-nominates-former-cjp-gulzar-ahmed-as-caretaker-pm-468245">Pakistan's political crisis: Imran Khan nominates former CJP Gulzar Ahmed as caretaker PM</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Imran Khan nominated former Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed for the position of caretaker prime minister on Monday (April 4).&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday, when the no-confidence motion was rejected, Khan addressed the nation and reiterated that there had been "foreign interference" leading to&nbsp;the instability that has been prevailing in Pakistan's democratic institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>But who is this 'foreign interference'?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Reports have claimed that Donald Lu was apparently involved in the conspiracy to oust Imran Khan from power. Lu is an Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Pakistan media outlet DAWN reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, journalists in the South Asian nation were informed that a Pakistani envoy was told by an official that they had issues with PM Khan's foreign policy. A cable was reportedly sent on March 7, a day before the Opposition submitted the no-confidence motion.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It has been reported that the cable was sent by Pakistan's then-ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed on the basis of his meeting with Donald Lu.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/im-the-dim-how-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-turned-out-to-be-a-terrible-caricature-of-the-champion-cricketer-467848">'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer</a></strong></p>

<p>Ambassador Majeed has now moved to Brussels to take up his new assignment and has been replaced by Ambassador Masood Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Imran Khan also said Lu had warned the Pakistan ambassador that there would be implications if the Pakistan PM survived the no-confidence vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US State Department on March 30&nbsp;asserted that no US government agency or official had sent a letter to Pakistan on the current political situation in the country, the media report said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan political crisis: Supreme Court to issue 'reasonable' order today</strong></p>

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Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan managed to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion on Sunday (April 3) presented by the opposition parties. It was expected that PM Khan will be removed from power but the country's assembly deputy speaker refused to accept the motion of no confidence in the government.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan managed to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion on Sunday (April 3) presented by the opposition parties. It was expected that PM Khan will be removed from power but the country's assembly deputy speaker refused to accept the motion of no confidence in the government. After that, the national assembly of the country was also dissolved and reports have stated fresh elections will take place in 90 days. ALSO READ | Pakistan's political crisis: Imran Khan nominates former CJP Gulzar Ahmed as caretaker PM Meanwhile, Imran Khan nominated former Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed for the position of caretaker prime minister on Monday (April 4). On Sunday, when the no-confidence motion was rejected, Khan addressed the nation and reiterated that there had been "foreign interference" leading to the instability that has been prevailing in Pakistan's democratic institutions. But who is this 'foreign interference'? Reports have claimed that Donald Lu was apparently involved in the conspiracy to oust Imran Khan from power. Lu is an Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Pakistan media outlet DAWN reported. A few days ago, journalists in the South Asian nation were informed that a Pakistani envoy was told by an official that they had issues with PM Khan's foreign policy. A cable was reportedly sent on March 7, a day before the Opposition submitted the no-confidence motion. It has been reported that the cable was sent by Pakistan's then-ambassador to the United States Asad Majeed on the basis of his meeting with Donald Lu. ALSO READ | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer Ambassador Majeed has now moved to Brussels to take up his new assignment and has been replaced by Ambassador Masood Khan. Imran Khan also said Lu had warned the Pakistan ambassador that there would be implications if the Pakistan PM survived the no-confidence vote. The US State Department on March 30 asserted that no US government agency or official had sent a letter to Pakistan on the current political situation in the country, the media report said. WATCH | Pakistan political crisis: Supreme Court to issue 'reasonable' order today ×

This US diplomat apparently caused political instability in Pakistan and 'threatened' PM Imran Khan

<p>The ongoing political drama in Pakistan has become fodder for memes on social media forums as netizens have come up with hilarious jibes to define the political crisis&nbsp;in the South Asian nation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Sunday (April 3), the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan somehow managed to avoid voting in the parliament, which was meant to oust him from power.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The opposition parties gathered with a motion of no confidence in Khan's government, but the assembly deputy speaker of the parliament refused to accept it.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>OPINION&nbsp; |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/new-polls-interim-govt-or-army-rule-pm-imran-khan-plunges-pakistan-into-constitutional-crisis-467929">New polls, interim govt, or Army rule? PM Imran Khan plunges Pakistan into constitutional crisis</a></strong></p>

<p>The political drama has been going on for the past couple of weeks as Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) lost its majority in the 342-member assembly last week. It has been understood that more than a dozen PTI members had indicated they would cross the floor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was expected to lose but now, going as per the political developments in the country, a potential constitutional battle has been set up.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>OPINION |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/im-the-dim-how-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-turned-out-to-be-a-terrible-caricature-of-the-champion-cricketer-467848">&nbsp;'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer</a></strong></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the political chaos has left netizens to come up with funny memes. Netizens have also targetted Shehbaz Sharif, who was tipped to replace Imran Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Check out some of the memes here:&nbsp;</strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Imran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Imran</a> ka letter 😂 <a href="https://t.co/wHDuEhyeHF">pic.twitter.com/wHDuEhyeHF</a></p>
— Aizaz Ahmad Khalil (@therealaizaz_99) <a href="https://twitter.com/therealaizaz_99/status/1508425537735348227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Imran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Imran</a> khan Today ... <a href="https://t.co/xhbwCc13tb">pic.twitter.com/xhbwCc13tb</a></p>
— Ahmad Mughal (@Ahmadmughalap) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahmadmughalap/status/1509072555998601217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> Vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USA</a><br />
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Today Match summary<br />
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1. Man of the match <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QasimSuri?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QasimSuri</a><br />
2. Man of the series <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhan</a><br />
3. Master blaster <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FawadChaudhry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FawadChaudhry</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SupremeCourt?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SupremeCourt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Elections2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elections2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhanPrimeMinister?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhanPrimeMinister</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/surprise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#surprise</a> <a href="https://t.co/NmrBv00VnC">pic.twitter.com/NmrBv00VnC</a></p>
— Haider Rajput (@Rajputblogs) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rajputblogs/status/1510540775356051459?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Clean bowled. Lesson to the external conspirators focus on your own countries. Lesson to Pakistans sellouts never think Allah is not with the truthful ones. <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhanPrimeMinister?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhanPrimeMinister</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IstandwithImranKhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IstandwithImranKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoConfidenceMotion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoConfidenceMotion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakistanZindabad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakistanZindabad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Imran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Imran</a> <a href="https://t.co/mfdNlwdrZz">pic.twitter.com/mfdNlwdrZz</a></p>
— Anira Khokhar 🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@anira_khokhar) <a href="https://twitter.com/anira_khokhar/status/1510533917543129091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">No confidence motion be like<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoConfidenceMotion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoConfidenceMotion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Surprise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Surprise</a> <a href="https://t.co/aDKOkF7a2E">pic.twitter.com/aDKOkF7a2E</a></p>
— MOLANA SAHB (@shery_malikk) <a href="https://twitter.com/shery_malikk/status/1510521128523120643?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Platelets Down Again 😂<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoConfidenceMotion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoConfidenceMotion</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShahbazSharif?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShahbazSharif</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/surprise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#surprise</a> <a href="https://t.co/LejXN48UI9">pic.twitter.com/LejXN48UI9</a></p>
— Imran Khan (@ImraanRiaazkhan) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImraanRiaazkhan/status/1510529258959118336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Feeling sad for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ShahbazSharif?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ShahbazSharif</a> with 11 other parties 😂🤣<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/surprise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#surprise</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoConfidenceMotion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoConfidenceMotion</a> <a href="https://t.co/imTZqBlAmZ">pic.twitter.com/imTZqBlAmZ</a></p>
— Malik Shoujaat 🇵🇰 (@Malok_Shoujaat) <a href="https://twitter.com/Malok_Shoujaat/status/1510529001684713479?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Out of context 💀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/meme?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#meme</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PDM?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PDM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoConfidenceMotion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoConfidenceMotion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ImranKhanPrimeMinister?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ImranKhanPrimeMinister</a> <a href="https://t.co/PBi2c81siQ">pic.twitter.com/PBi2c81siQ</a></p>
— Memes By Pakistan 🇵🇰 (@MemesByPakistan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MemesByPakistan/status/1510538090284126211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Haters gonna say that this meme was created for IMRAN KHAN. 😖😁😁😁 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/DAYYMppBvA">pic.twitter.com/DAYYMppBvA</a></p>
— Fayaaz Takkar♐ (@fayaaz_takkar_) <a href="https://twitter.com/fayaaz_takkar_/status/1510524970463490048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Meanwhile, Imran Khan, during a televised address to the nation, called for fresh elections after the national assembly of the country was dissolved and a no-confidence motion against Khan was blocked.</p>

<p>Dissolution of the national assembly means fresh elections must be held in the country within three months. Pakistan's State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib said that fresh elections in Pakistan will be held in 90 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking to his official Twitter handle, Habib made the announcement, although a final decision will come from the president of Pakistan and the election commission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Pakistan opposition leader Khawaja Asif in an exclusive conversation with WION</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


The ongoing political drama in Pakistan has become fodder for memes on social media forums as netizens have come up with hilarious jibes to define the political crisis in the South Asian nation.

The ongoing political drama in Pakistan has become fodder for memes on social media forums as netizens have come up with hilarious jibes to define the political crisis in the South Asian nation. On Sunday (April 3), the country's Prime Minister Imran Khan somehow managed to avoid voting in the parliament, which was meant to oust him from power. The opposition parties gathered with a motion of no confidence in Khan's government, but the assembly deputy speaker of the parliament refused to accept it. OPINION | New polls, interim govt, or Army rule? PM Imran Khan plunges Pakistan into constitutional crisis The political drama has been going on for the past couple of weeks as Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) lost its majority in the 342-member assembly last week. It has been understood that more than a dozen PTI members had indicated they would cross the floor. The cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was expected to lose but now, going as per the political developments in the country, a potential constitutional battle has been set up. OPINION | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer Meanwhile, the political chaos has left netizens to come up with funny memes. Netizens have also targetted Shehbaz Sharif, who was tipped to replace Imran Khan. Check out some of the memes here: #Imran ka letter 😂 pic.twitter.com/wHDuEhyeHF — Aizaz Ahmad Khalil (@therealaizaz_99) March 28, 2022 × #Imran khan Today ... pic.twitter.com/xhbwCc13tb — Ahmad Mughal (@Ahmadmughalap) March 30, 2022 × #Pakistan Vs #USA Today Match summary 1. Man of the match #QasimSuri 2. Man of the series #ImranKhan 3. Master blaster #FawadChaudhry#SupremeCourt #Elections2022 #ImranKhanPrimeMinister #surprise pic.twitter.com/NmrBv00VnC — Haider Rajput (@Rajputblogs) April 3, 2022 × Clean bowled. Lesson to the external conspirators focus on your own countries. Lesson to Pakistans sellouts never think Allah is not with the truthful ones. @ImranKhanPTI#ImranKhanPrimeMinister #ImranKhan #IstandwithImranKhan #NoConfidenceMotion #PakistanZindabad #Imran pic.twitter.com/mfdNlwdrZz — Anira Khokhar 🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@anira_khokhar) April 3, 2022 × No confidence motion be like#NoConfidenceMotion #Surprise pic.twitter.com/aDKOkF7a2E — MOLANA SAHB (@shery_malikk) April 3, 2022 × Platelets Down Again 😂#NoConfidenceMotion#ShahbazSharif#surprise pic.twitter.com/LejXN48UI9 — Imran Khan (@ImraanRiaazkhan) April 3, 2022 × Feeling sad for #ShahbazSharif with 11 other parties 😂🤣#surprise | #NoConfidenceMotion pic.twitter.com/imTZqBlAmZ — Malik Shoujaat 🇵🇰 (@Malok_Shoujaat) April 3, 2022 × Out of context 💀#Pakistan #meme #ImranKhan #PDM #NoConfidenceMotion #ImranKhanPrimeMinister pic.twitter.com/PBi2c81siQ — Memes By Pakistan 🇵🇰 (@MemesByPakistan) April 3, 2022 × Haters gonna say that this meme was created for IMRAN KHAN. 😖😁😁😁 #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/DAYYMppBvA — Fayaaz Takkar♐ (@fayaaz_takkar_) April 3, 2022 × Meanwhile, Imran Khan, during a televised address to the nation, called for fresh elections after the national assembly of the country was dissolved and a no-confidence motion against Khan was blocked. Dissolution of the national assembly means fresh elections must be held in the country within three months. Pakistan's State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib said that fresh elections in Pakistan will be held in 90 days. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Habib made the announcement, although a final decision will come from the president of Pakistan and the election commission. WATCH | Pakistan opposition leader Khawaja Asif in an exclusive conversation with WION ×

Today's match summary in memes: Netizens find the funniest ways to describe Pakistan political drama

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a televised address to the nation, called for fresh elections after the national assembly of the country was dissolved and a no-confidence motion against Khan was blocked on Sunday (April 3).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Dissolution of the national assembly means fresh elections must be held in the country within three months. Pakistan's State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib said that fresh elections in Pakistan will be held in 90 days.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking to his official Twitter handle, Habib made the announcement, although a final decision will come from the president of Pakistan and the election commission.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>OPINION&nbsp; | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/new-polls-interim-govt-or-army-rule-pm-imran-khan-plunges-pakistan-into-constitutional-crisis-467929">New polls, interim govt, or Army rule? PM Imran Khan plunges Pakistan into constitutional crisis</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">New elections will be held in 90 days</p>
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) <a href="https://twitter.com/FarrukhHabibISF/status/1510526248224641026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>On the day it was expected that PM Khan will be ousted from power, the country's assembly deputy speaker refused to accept a motion of no confidence in the government, which was presented by the opposition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Minutes after the no-confidence motion was rejected, Khan addressed the nation and reiterated that there had been "foreign interference" in Pakistan's democratic institutions.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Calling for a "democratic" way to resolve the crisis, Khan said, "I have sent advice to the president to dissolve the assemblies. We will go to the public and hold elections, and let the nation decide."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>OPINION |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/im-the-dim-how-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-turned-out-to-be-a-terrible-caricature-of-the-champion-cricketer-467848">&nbsp;'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;From political to a constitutional crisis: Political slugfest in Pakistan peaks</strong></p>

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<p>On the other hand, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of the opposition Pakistan People's Party, told reporters, "We are also moving to the Supreme Court today."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shehbaz Sharif, who is tipped to replace Imran Khan, referred to the parliamentary block as "nothing short of high treason". On his Twitter handle, he said, "There will be consequences for blatant and brazen violation of the Constitution."&nbsp;</p>

<p>It's still uncertain what will happen next but the opposition said they would petition the courts, arguing the constitution had been violated.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by news agency AFP, Shehbaz Sharif said, "This day will be remembered as a black day in Pakistan's constitutional history."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the country's Army has distanced itself from the political drama, clearing the air over alleged involvement in Sunday's developments.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As quoted by news agency Reuters, Major General Babar Iftikhar, the head of the military's public relations wing, said: "Army has nothing to do with the political process."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Imran Khan has been accused of failing to revive the economy and crackdown on corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a televised address to the nation, called for fresh elections after the national assembly of the country was dissolved and a no-confidence motion against Khan was blocked on Sunday (April 3).

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a televised address to the nation, called for fresh elections after the national assembly of the country was dissolved and a no-confidence motion against Khan was blocked on Sunday (April 3). Dissolution of the national assembly means fresh elections must be held in the country within three months. Pakistan's State Minister for Information Farrukh Habib said that fresh elections in Pakistan will be held in 90 days. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Habib made the announcement, although a final decision will come from the president of Pakistan and the election commission. OPINION | New polls, interim govt, or Army rule? PM Imran Khan plunges Pakistan into constitutional crisis New elections will be held in 90 days — Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) April 3, 2022 × On the day it was expected that PM Khan will be ousted from power, the country's assembly deputy speaker refused to accept a motion of no confidence in the government, which was presented by the opposition. Minutes after the no-confidence motion was rejected, Khan addressed the nation and reiterated that there had been "foreign interference" in Pakistan's democratic institutions. Calling for a "democratic" way to resolve the crisis, Khan said, "I have sent advice to the president to dissolve the assemblies. We will go to the public and hold elections, and let the nation decide." OPINION | 'Im the dim': How Pakistan PM Imran Khan turned out to be a terrible caricature of the champion cricketer WATCH | From political to a constitutional crisis: Political slugfest in Pakistan peaks × On the other hand, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, head of the opposition Pakistan People's Party, told reporters, "We are also moving to the Supreme Court today." Shehbaz Sharif, who is tipped to replace Imran Khan, referred to the parliamentary block as "nothing short of high treason". On his Twitter handle, he said, "There will be consequences for blatant and brazen violation of the Constitution." It's still uncertain what will happen next but the opposition said they would petition the courts, arguing the constitution had been violated. As quoted by news agency AFP, Shehbaz Sharif said, "This day will be remembered as a black day in Pakistan's constitutional history." Meanwhile, the country's Army has distanced itself from the political drama, clearing the air over alleged involvement in Sunday's developments. As quoted by news agency Reuters, Major General Babar Iftikhar, the head of the military's public relations wing, said: "Army has nothing to do with the political process." Imran Khan has been accused of failing to revive the economy and crackdown on corruption. (With inputs from agencies)

Fresh elections in 90 days? What's next for Pakistan politics?

<p>In a major setback to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, three of his allies in the ruling collation have joined the opposition alliance days ahead of the no-confidence motion.</p>

<p>The voting on the no-confidence motion in Pakistan's National Assembly is scheduled to take place on Friday, (March 25).</p>

<p>Geo News, quoting sources, said that three parties—the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)— have decided to withdraw support to the government. The three parties have 17 elected members in the Parliament.</p>

<p>This comes after several 24 MPs defected from Khan's government and announced to vote in favour of the no-trust move.</p>

<p>Khan has been facing criticism for economic mismanagement, poor governance and inflation.</p>

<p>However, Khan seems to be unfazed by the recent setbacks. Earlier in the day, the Pakistani premiere claimed to have a “trick up his sleeve”, saying that he would emerge victorious in the no-confidence motion against his opponents.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ahead-of-no-confidence-vote-imran-khans-bizarre-warning-to-dissenters-no-one-will-marry-your-children-464482" hreflang="en">Ahead of no-confidence, Khan warns dissenters: 'No one will marry your kids'</a></p>

<p>"The opposition has already shown all their cards," he said while speaking to a group of journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to the Dawn newspaper.</p>

<p>He added, “They are in for a big surprise.”</p>

<p>Notably, in the 342-member National Assembly, the Imran Khan government requires at least 172 members to sail through the no-confidence plea.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/with-pm-post-at-stake-imran-khan-rakes-kashmir-issue-says-nobody-takes-oic-seriously-464550" hreflang="en">With PM post at stake, Imran Khan rakes up Kashmir issue at OIC meet</a></p>

<p>Warning the opposition that they "will be shocked by the loss of voters on their side", Khan asserted that he would not tender his resignation.</p>

<p>"Should I give up under the pressure of thieves even before the fight is over?"</p>

<p>"It may be someone's misconception that I will sit at home," he remarked, making it clear that he did not plan on stepping down as the country's chief executive.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran khan stares at an exit from power?</strong></p>

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<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


In a major setback to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, three of his allies in the ruling collation have joined the opposition alliance days ahead of the no-confidence motion.

In a major setback to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, three of his allies in the ruling collation have joined the opposition alliance days ahead of the no-confidence motion. The voting on the no-confidence motion in Pakistan's National Assembly is scheduled to take place on Friday, (March 25). Geo News, quoting sources, said that three parties—the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and Balochistan Awami Party (BAP)— have decided to withdraw support to the government. The three parties have 17 elected members in the Parliament. This comes after several 24 MPs defected from Khan's government and announced to vote in favour of the no-trust move. Khan has been facing criticism for economic mismanagement, poor governance and inflation. However, Khan seems to be unfazed by the recent setbacks. Earlier in the day, the Pakistani premiere claimed to have a “trick up his sleeve”, saying that he would emerge victorious in the no-confidence motion against his opponents. Also read | Ahead of no-confidence, Khan warns dissenters: 'No one will marry your kids' "The opposition has already shown all their cards," he said while speaking to a group of journalists in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to the Dawn newspaper. He added, “They are in for a big surprise.” Notably, in the 342-member National Assembly, the Imran Khan government requires at least 172 members to sail through the no-confidence plea. Also read | With PM post at stake, Imran Khan rakes up Kashmir issue at OIC meet Warning the opposition that they "will be shocked by the loss of voters on their side", Khan asserted that he would not tender his resignation. "Should I give up under the pressure of thieves even before the fight is over?" "It may be someone's misconception that I will sit at home," he remarked, making it clear that he did not plan on stepping down as the country's chief executive. Watch | Pakistan PM Imran khan stares at an exit from power? (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of no-confidence vote, 3 allies of Khan join opposition; Pak PM says ‘won’t resign'

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has issued a bizarre warning to the party members who are planning to go against him in the no-confidence vote.&nbsp;</p>

<p>During a public rally on Sunday (March 20) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan said, "Your children and families would lose respect and honour in society. No one will marry your children."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"People will neither trust you nor respect you. Masses are aware of the situation and what is happening in the country. This is the age of social media. It's difficult to hide anything from them," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/khalid-payenda-former-afghanistan-finance-minister-drives-taxi-in-us-464275">Khalid Payenda, former Afghanistan Finance minister, drives taxi in US</a></strong></p>

<p>The cricketer-turned-politician further said, "I would forgive you like a father, or face disrespect in the society."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistan's PM is set to face a vote of no-confidence and the country's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has summoned a session of the Lower House at the Parliament in Islamabad on March 25 for a no-trust motion against Khan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is facing an internal revolt, with several Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) deserting it and joining the opposition ranks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-army-asks-imran-khan-to-resign-after-oic-conference-say-reports-463978">Pakistan Army asks Imran Khan to resign after OIC conference, say reports</a></strong></p>

<p>The MNAs numbering about two dozen, fearing backlash from the PTI central leadership and the cadres, lodged themselves at the Sindh House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>European Times said in its report that the dissenters openly threatened to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion.</p>

<p>The nine-member opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan People Party (PPP) had signed the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government on March 8.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The lawmakers alleged that the PTI&nbsp;government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Imran Khan's warning to PTI dissidents</strong></p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has issued a bizarre warning to the party members who are planning to go against him in the no-confidence vote. During a public rally on Sunday (March 20) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan said, "Your children and families would lose respect and honour in society.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has issued a bizarre warning to the party members who are planning to go against him in the no-confidence vote. During a public rally on Sunday (March 20) in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan said, "Your children and families would lose respect and honour in society. No one will marry your children." "People will neither trust you nor respect you. Masses are aware of the situation and what is happening in the country. This is the age of social media. It's difficult to hide anything from them," he added. ALSO READ | Khalid Payenda, former Afghanistan Finance minister, drives taxi in US The cricketer-turned-politician further said, "I would forgive you like a father, or face disrespect in the society." Pakistan's PM is set to face a vote of no-confidence and the country's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has summoned a session of the Lower House at the Parliament in Islamabad on March 25 for a no-trust motion against Khan. Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is facing an internal revolt, with several Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) deserting it and joining the opposition ranks. ALSO READ | Pakistan Army asks Imran Khan to resign after OIC conference, say reports The MNAs numbering about two dozen, fearing backlash from the PTI central leadership and the cadres, lodged themselves at the Sindh House. European Times said in its report that the dissenters openly threatened to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion. The nine-member opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan People Party (PPP) had signed the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government on March 8. The lawmakers alleged that the PTI government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country. WATCH | Gravitas: Imran Khan's warning to PTI dissidents × (With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of no-confidence vote, Imran Khan's bizarre warning to dissenters: 'No one will marry your children'

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lashed out at opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence against him.</p>

<p>While addressing a public&nbsp;gathering in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan dubbed the opposition members— PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman—as “three stooges”.</p>

<p>What was striking in Imran Khan’s speech was that during his rally, he seemed to disclose his conversation with army chief General Bajwa on Rahman, who is known as “Maulana Diesel”— a derogatory term for his alleged participation in graft involving fuel licenses.</p>

<p>“I was just talking to Gen Bajwa, and he told me not to refer to Fazl as diesel. But I am not the one who is saying that. The people have named him diesel," the prime minister said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/opposition-submits-no-confidence-motion-as-pak-pm-khan-says-army-stands-with-me-460289">Opposition submits no-confidence motion as Pak PM Khan says 'army stands with me'</a></p>

<p>The tone and language of the prime minister seem&nbsp;to have nosedived in recent days after the opposition parties moved a no-trust vote against him.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Khan said that after winning the trust vote in Parliament, he would target former president and Opposition leader Asif Ali Zardari for alleged corruption.</p>

<p>Khan, addressing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers at the Governor House in Karachi, claimed that the motion is the “political death” of the opposition, Geo News reported.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;P<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khans-striking-speech-targeting-western-envoys-joint-letter-on-russia-grabs-attention-459828">akistan PM Imran Khan's striking speech targeting Western envoys' joint letter on Russia grabs attention</a></p>

<p>The no-confidence motion, signed by about 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was submitted with the National Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Khan, 69, is heading a coalition government and he can be removed if some of the partners decide to switch sides.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lashed out at opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence against him. While addressing a public gathering in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan dubbed the opposition members— PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman—as “three stooges”.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lashed out at opposition parties for bringing a no-confidence against him. While addressing a public gathering in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Khan dubbed the opposition members— PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari and Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman—as “three stooges”. What was striking in Imran Khan’s speech was that during his rally, he seemed to disclose his conversation with army chief General Bajwa on Rahman, who is known as “Maulana Diesel”— a derogatory term for his alleged participation in graft involving fuel licenses. “I was just talking to Gen Bajwa, and he told me not to refer to Fazl as diesel. But I am not the one who is saying that. The people have named him diesel," the prime minister said. Also read | Opposition submits no-confidence motion as Pak PM Khan says 'army stands with me' The tone and language of the prime minister seem to have nosedived in recent days after the opposition parties moved a no-trust vote against him. On Wednesday, Khan said that after winning the trust vote in Parliament, he would target former president and Opposition leader Asif Ali Zardari for alleged corruption. Khan, addressing the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers at the Governor House in Karachi, claimed that the motion is the “political death” of the opposition, Geo News reported. Also read | Pakistan PM Imran Khan's striking speech targeting Western envoys' joint letter on Russia grabs attention The no-confidence motion, signed by about 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), was submitted with the National Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday. Khan, 69, is heading a coalition government and he can be removed if some of the partners decide to switch sides. (With inputs from agencies)

Slip of tongue: Pak PM discloses his conversations with Gen Bajwa while slamming opposition

<p>Maryam Nawaz, the Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), slammed the Imran Khan-led PTI government on Saturday, stating that Prime Minister's electoral symbol should now be a "thief" rather than a cricket bat.</p>

<p>Maryam made the remarks while speaking at a political gathering in Sharda town of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reported Geo News.</p>

<p>Imran Khan "stole the election" in 2018, according to the PML-N leader, using the cricket bat as a symbol.</p>

<p>People were overburdened by inflation, Maryam observed, and Imran Khan's name brought back "memories of long waits at sugar and flour stores."</p>

<p>"The mere mention of Imran Khan's name now evokes memories of people being robbed of wheat, sugar, and Kashmir," she explained.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-pakistan-pm-refuses-to-criticize-chinas-uyghur-treatment-after-decrying-islamophobia-elsewhere-392905"><strong>Watch: Pakistan PM refuses to criticize China’s Uyghur treatment after decrying Islamophobia elsewhere</strong></a></p>

<p>"How would someone who rose to power by the use of selectors understand the concept of independence? How can people who stole votes by exploiting a flaw in the RTS system learn about freedom? "She said.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-islamic-body-that-said-man-can-lightly-beat-wife-halts-legislation-on-domestic-violence-bill-397103"><strong>Also read | Pakistan's Islamic body that said man can ‘lightly beat’ wife halts legislation on Domestic Violence Bill</strong></a><br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Maryam Nawaz, the Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), slammed the Imran Khan-led PTI government on Saturday, stating that Prime Minister's electoral symbol should now be a "thief" rather than a cricket bat.

Maryam Nawaz, the Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), slammed the Imran Khan-led PTI government on Saturday, stating that Prime Minister's electoral symbol should now be a "thief" rather than a cricket bat. Maryam made the remarks while speaking at a political gathering in Sharda town of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), reported Geo News. Imran Khan "stole the election" in 2018, according to the PML-N leader, using the cricket bat as a symbol. People were overburdened by inflation, Maryam observed, and Imran Khan's name brought back "memories of long waits at sugar and flour stores." "The mere mention of Imran Khan's name now evokes memories of people being robbed of wheat, sugar, and Kashmir," she explained. Watch: Pakistan PM refuses to criticize China’s Uyghur treatment after decrying Islamophobia elsewhere "How would someone who rose to power by the use of selectors understand the concept of independence? How can people who stole votes by exploiting a flaw in the RTS system learn about freedom? "She said. Also read | Pakistan's Islamic body that said man can ‘lightly beat’ wife halts legislation on Domestic Violence Bill (With inputs from agencies)

Imran Khan's party symbol should be 'thief', not a cricket bat: Maryam Nawaz

<p>In an ongoing crackdown against Nationalist Groups and parties across Sindh, various activists have been arrested for raising their voice against Pakistan Peoples` Party (PPP).</p>

<p>Daily Times reported that police have raided Tariqi Pasand House on Sunday to arrest Ayaz Lashari and other key activists of Sindh Taraqi Pasand party in an ongoing crackdown against Nationalist Groups and parties across Sindh.</p>

<p>A meeting of the Sindh Taraqi Pasand party was going on at Taraqi Pasand House when police surrounded the area, following which over a dozen police personnel barged into the party office and arrested key leaders of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party.</p>

<p>Police arrested Ghulam Nabi Khatti of Jeay Sindh Mahaz who had already obtained protective bail, Bashir Jokiyo, and Jammal Tarro from different areas of the districts.</p>

<p>Earlier Police stormed the village of renowned historian Rasool Bux Dars and arrested his grandson Ghulam Murtaza Dars and other activists of Nationalist Parties.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Gorabari Police raided the house of JSQM Vice-Chairman Nawaz Shah Baghdadi and picked up his brother and cousin, it further reported.</p>

<p>Chairman Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Dr Qadir Mangsi, SUP Chief Syed Jalal Shah Nawaz Shah Badai, and others have deplored the arrest of Nationals activists and their relatives.</p>

<p>Dr Qadir said that their workers were being victimised for raising their voices against Asif Zardari and Malik Riaz but these antics of PPP would not halt their movement.</p>

<p>"Dictatorship has been imposed in the garb of democracy in Sindh; people will react strongly against it", said Badai. As many as 15 activists of different nationalist parties and groups have been arrested during the past two days.</p>


In an ongoing crackdown against Nationalist Groups and parties across Sindh, various activists have been arrested for raising their voice against Pakistan Peoples` Party (PPP).

In an ongoing crackdown against Nationalist Groups and parties across Sindh, various activists have been arrested for raising their voice against Pakistan Peoples` Party (PPP). Daily Times reported that police have raided Tariqi Pasand House on Sunday to arrest Ayaz Lashari and other key activists of Sindh Taraqi Pasand party in an ongoing crackdown against Nationalist Groups and parties across Sindh. A meeting of the Sindh Taraqi Pasand party was going on at Taraqi Pasand House when police surrounded the area, following which over a dozen police personnel barged into the party office and arrested key leaders of Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party. Police arrested Ghulam Nabi Khatti of Jeay Sindh Mahaz who had already obtained protective bail, Bashir Jokiyo, and Jammal Tarro from different areas of the districts. Earlier Police stormed the village of renowned historian Rasool Bux Dars and arrested his grandson Ghulam Murtaza Dars and other activists of Nationalist Parties. Meanwhile, Gorabari Police raided the house of JSQM Vice-Chairman Nawaz Shah Baghdadi and picked up his brother and cousin, it further reported. Chairman Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party Dr Qadir Mangsi, SUP Chief Syed Jalal Shah Nawaz Shah Badai, and others have deplored the arrest of Nationals activists and their relatives. Dr Qadir said that their workers were being victimised for raising their voices against Asif Zardari and Malik Riaz but these antics of PPP would not halt their movement. "Dictatorship has been imposed in the garb of democracy in Sindh; people will react strongly against it", said Badai. As many as 15 activists of different nationalist parties and groups have been arrested during the past two days.

Pakistan Police arrests key nationalist leaders for raising voice against Pakistan Peoples Party

<p>Pakistan's National Assembly has approved a bill allowing Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the high courts of the country. The bill seeks to provide further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The bill seeks to provide a further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice. The bill was adopted by the National Assembly on Thursday after approval from the 21-member standing committee.</p>

<p>It has been named 'International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Act. The Pakistan government had brought an ordinance in the National Assembly earlier in view of the ICJ's ruling in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.</p>

<p>The Act will extend to the whole of Pakistan and shall "come into force at once".</p>

<p>According to the bill, the High Court has the power to review and reconsider where the ICJ in relation to a foreign national passes an order in respect of rights under the Vienna Convention of Consular Relations or a foreign national is aggrieved in respect of the rights available under the same. Such a foreign national, either himself, through his authorised representative or through a consular officer of a mission of his country, may file a petition before a High Court for review and reconsideration, in terms of Section 3, in regard to an order of conviction or sentence of a Military Court operating under the Pakistan Army, 1952.</p>

<p>Earlier this year, a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had resumed hearing of the case related to Jadhav and four other Indian prisoners who were under detention even after completion of their respective sentences. In January, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had slammed Pakistan for not acting upon the ICJ`s 2019 judgment that had upheld India`s claim of the Pakistani regime committing the grievous violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations on several counts regarding Jadhav.&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has also lashed out at Pakistan for failing to provide consular access to Jadhav. Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April 2017. Pakistan claims that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in 2016 on charges of espionage. India has rejected Pakistan`s allegations and said he was kidnapped from the Iranian port of Chabahar.</p>


Pakistan's National Assembly has approved a bill allowing Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the high courts of the country. The bill seeks to provide further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice.

Pakistan's National Assembly has approved a bill allowing Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the high courts of the country. The bill seeks to provide further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice. The bill seeks to provide a further right of review and reconsideration in giving effect to the judgment of the International Court of Justice. The bill was adopted by the National Assembly on Thursday after approval from the 21-member standing committee. It has been named 'International Court of Justice (Review and Re-consideration) Act. The Pakistan government had brought an ordinance in the National Assembly earlier in view of the ICJ's ruling in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. The Act will extend to the whole of Pakistan and shall "come into force at once". According to the bill, the High Court has the power to review and reconsider where the ICJ in relation to a foreign national passes an order in respect of rights under the Vienna Convention of Consular Relations or a foreign national is aggrieved in respect of the rights available under the same. Such a foreign national, either himself, through his authorised representative or through a consular officer of a mission of his country, may file a petition before a High Court for review and reconsideration, in terms of Section 3, in regard to an order of conviction or sentence of a Military Court operating under the Pakistan Army, 1952. Earlier this year, a larger bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had resumed hearing of the case related to Jadhav and four other Indian prisoners who were under detention even after completion of their respective sentences. In January, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had slammed Pakistan for not acting upon the ICJ`s 2019 judgment that had upheld India`s claim of the Pakistani regime committing the grievous violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations on several counts regarding Jadhav. India has also lashed out at Pakistan for failing to provide consular access to Jadhav. Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court in April 2017. Pakistan claims that Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in 2016 on charges of espionage. India has rejected Pakistan`s allegations and said he was kidnapped from the Iranian port of Chabahar.

Pakistan National Assembly adopts bill to give right of appeal to Kulbhushan Jadhav

<p>In a new twist to the acrimonious confidence vote, <strong>Pakistan opposition </strong>has alleged that two Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) were locked up in a container for four hours to pressurise them to vote in favour of Prime Minister Imran Khan.</p>

<p>The explosive claim was made in a press conference by&nbsp;<strong>Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) Vice President</strong> Maryam Nawaz, who alleged that the government took the help of intelligence agencies to secure the vote of confidence for Khan.</p>

<p>Maryam, the daughter of PMN-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif,&nbsp;said that government lawmakers were "in touch" with her party.</p>

<p>She alleged that the spy agencies had "made people disappear" on behalf of the prime minister ahead of Saturday's trust vote, Dawn newspaper reported.</p>

<p>Khan decided to take a vote of confidence after finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh lost the Senate election, leading to calls by the Opposition for the prime minister's resignation.</p>

<p>The trust vote taken by Khan "has no legal, constitutional, political or moral value", Maryam Nawaz said.</p>

<p>"It has come to our personal knowledge that two MNAs who were not ready to vote for [the prime minister] until the last moment were taken to the compound of an institution in Golra (near Islamabad), kept locked up in a container there for four hours and were forced by personnel of agencies to vote in favour of Imran Khan," she said.</p>

<p>"The way you used Pakistan's secret agencies for your benefit is very shameful. Is this all agencies in Pakistan are left for? Will their role from now on be to throw their institution into politics in order to protect a man who is being rejected by the people?" she said.</p>

<p>She pointed that Prime Minister Khan knew he would "lose badly" if the agencies hadn't helped him, Dawn reported.</p>

<p>The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition parties, has announced a long march in Islamabad on March 26.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>(With inputs from agencies)</strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


In a new twist to the acrimonious confidence vote, Pakistan opposition has alleged that two Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) were locked up in a container for four hours to pressurise them to vote in favour of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In a new twist to the acrimonious confidence vote, Pakistan opposition has alleged that two Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) were locked up in a container for four hours to pressurise them to vote in favour of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The explosive claim was made in a press conference by Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, who alleged that the government took the help of intelligence agencies to secure the vote of confidence for Khan. Maryam, the daughter of PMN-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, said that government lawmakers were "in touch" with her party. She alleged that the spy agencies had "made people disappear" on behalf of the prime minister ahead of Saturday's trust vote, Dawn newspaper reported. Khan decided to take a vote of confidence after finance minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh lost the Senate election, leading to calls by the Opposition for the prime minister's resignation. The trust vote taken by Khan "has no legal, constitutional, political or moral value", Maryam Nawaz said. "It has come to our personal knowledge that two MNAs who were not ready to vote for [the prime minister] until the last moment were taken to the compound of an institution in Golra (near Islamabad), kept locked up in a container there for four hours and were forced by personnel of agencies to vote in favour of Imran Khan," she said. "The way you used Pakistan's secret agencies for your benefit is very shameful. Is this all agencies in Pakistan are left for? Will their role from now on be to throw their institution into politics in order to protect a man who is being rejected by the people?" she said. She pointed that Prime Minister Khan knew he would "lose badly" if the agencies hadn't helped him, Dawn reported. The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an alliance of 11 opposition parties, has announced a long march in Islamabad on March 26. (With inputs from agencies)

Pak lawmakers were kept in containers during confidence vote, alleges opposition

<p>The Pakistan Senate session which started on December 30 has become a battleground between the Imran Khan-led government and the opposition on the issue of the arrest of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) workers.</p>

<p>On Friday, salvos were exchanged over the arrest of PDM workers. The opposition members charged that the law enforcement agencies on the instructions of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), were involved in launching a crackdown against hundreds of their political workers before PDM`s scheduled rallies across the country, reported Dawn."The opposition`s movement was being taken as anti-state by the government, despite the fact that no opposition party had resorted to any illegal activity to move the PDM protest forward," said Sassui Palijo of Pakistan People`s Party (PPP).</p>

<p>She also criticised Imran Khan for not visiting the bereaved families of 11-Mach coalfield Hazaras who were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen last Sunday."The prime minister should have gone there and then taken the Senate into confidence over the tragic incident in Mach," she said, adding that there was frustration among the provinces over this incident.</p>

<p>Taking a shot at PM Khan, she said that he could find time to meet the team of the popular Turkish drama serial Ertugrul Ghazi but not visit Quetta. Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Usman Khan Kakar said the PDM demands were democratic, but the government cracked down on its workers before every rally and registered cases against them.</p>

<p>He said the movement was struggling while remaining within the democratic parameters and following the ideology of non-violence, but the government was forcing people into rebellion and violence.The session is expected to become stormier as it is taking place amidst heightened political temperature in the backdrop of the opposition`s anti-government rallies held by PDM across Pakistan since October 16. (ANI)</p>


The Pakistan Senate session which started on December 30 has become a battleground between the Imran Khan-led government and the opposition on the issue of the arrest of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) workers.

The Pakistan Senate session which started on December 30 has become a battleground between the Imran Khan-led government and the opposition on the issue of the arrest of Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) workers. On Friday, salvos were exchanged over the arrest of PDM workers. The opposition members charged that the law enforcement agencies on the instructions of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), were involved in launching a crackdown against hundreds of their political workers before PDM`s scheduled rallies across the country, reported Dawn."The opposition`s movement was being taken as anti-state by the government, despite the fact that no opposition party had resorted to any illegal activity to move the PDM protest forward," said Sassui Palijo of Pakistan People`s Party (PPP). She also criticised Imran Khan for not visiting the bereaved families of 11-Mach coalfield Hazaras who were brutally killed by unidentified gunmen last Sunday."The prime minister should have gone there and then taken the Senate into confidence over the tragic incident in Mach," she said, adding that there was frustration among the provinces over this incident. Taking a shot at PM Khan, she said that he could find time to meet the team of the popular Turkish drama serial Ertugrul Ghazi but not visit Quetta. Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Usman Khan Kakar said the PDM demands were democratic, but the government cracked down on its workers before every rally and registered cases against them. He said the movement was struggling while remaining within the democratic parameters and following the ideology of non-violence, but the government was forcing people into rebellion and violence.The session is expected to become stormier as it is taking place amidst heightened political temperature in the backdrop of the opposition`s anti-government rallies held by PDM across Pakistan since October 16. (ANI)

Chaos in Pakistan Senate over arrest of opposition workers

Islamabad High Court slams Imran Khan govt for allowing Nawaz Sharif to go abroad. Sharif is in London since November 2019 for medical treatment.

Pakistan HC: Govt's responsibility to bring back Nawaz Sharif