Former interior minister of Pakistan and Awami Muslim League chief, Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has warned the Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistan government saying that if anyone tries to arrest Imran Khan that would trigger instability and political drama in the country.

WION Dispatch: PTI leaders warn Shehbaz Sharif government against arresting Imran Khan

&nbsp;Amid persisting political chaos and growing influx of protesters from opposition parties towards Islamabad, aiming to bring the capital to a stand still until the fate of Imran Khan is decided through the opposition led No Confidence Voting; the capital braces for what seems like a final showdown by the government and the opposition. 
 
Imran Khan's premiership is faced with a massive challenge posed by the opposition alliance, comprising of at least 20 opposition parties, who, after 3 years of sitting in the opposition benches, have now decided to take on Imran Khan and ensure that he is off-thrown his seat as the Prime Minister of the country, through a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

They now feel confident of ousting Khan after many of the members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Pakistan (TTP) along with ally political parties, have defected and sided with the opposition parties, injecting confidence into the opposition rank that this time, they will be able to get the golden number of a 172 votes, required to claim majority during the no-confidence voting.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pak-opposition-accuses-pm-imran-khan-of-buying-time-to-muster-support-after-delay-in-no-confidence-motion-465421">&nbsp;Pak opposition accuses PM Imran Khan of buying time to muster support after delay in no-confidence motion</a> 
 
With the political temperature hitting boiling point, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has hinted towards calling for early elections, which he said may be called immediately after the federal budget for fiscal year 2022-23 is presented. 
 
During a press conference, Rasheed said that he had advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to call for elections after the budget, insisting that Khan`s popularity had increased in the wake of opposition's no-confidence motion against him. 
 
"I am asking for early elections after presenting a good budget because this incompetent opposition has allowed us to win again", he said. 
 
"When the Pakistani nation sees their opposition leaders'&nbsp;&nbsp;faces, they switch channels," he added. 
 
Taking a jibe on opposition leader and PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif, Rasheed said, "this is the same Shahbaz Sharif who says Nawaz Sharif greatly respects Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the army".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/witchcraft-theft-corruption-its-mud-slinging-time-in-pak-ahead-of-a-no-confidence-vote-465349">Witchcraft, theft, corruption: It's mud-slinging time in Pak ahead of a no-confidence vote</a> 
 
"Where did the 'vote ko izzat do'&nbsp;go? The vote has been sold at shops, they have insulted democracy", he added reminding of Nawaz Sharif`s statements where he blamed the country`s military establishment for ousting him from power. 
 
Rasheed also said that the no-confidence voting was likely to take place on the April 3 or April 4, adding that the defected may be promising opposition benches of their support, but on the day of the voting, they will not vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan political turmoil: Imran Khan rejects speculation of involvement of army

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Amid persisting political chaos and growing influx of protesters from opposition parties towards Islamabad, aiming to bring the capital to a stand still until the fate of Imran Khan is decided through the opposition led No Confidence Voting; the capital braces for what seems like a final showdown by the government and the opposition.

Amid persisting political chaos and growing influx of protesters from opposition parties towards Islamabad, aiming to bring the capital to a stand still until the fate of Imran Khan is decided through the opposition led No Confidence Voting; the capital braces for what seems like a final showdown by the government and the opposition. Imran Khan's premiership is faced with a massive challenge posed by the opposition alliance, comprising of at least 20 opposition parties, who, after 3 years of sitting in the opposition benches, have now decided to take on Imran Khan and ensure that he is off-thrown his seat as the Prime Minister of the country, through a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly of Pakistan. They now feel confident of ousting Khan after many of the members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Pakistan (TTP) along with ally political parties, have defected and sided with the opposition parties, injecting confidence into the opposition rank that this time, they will be able to get the golden number of a 172 votes, required to claim majority during the no-confidence voting. Also read | Pak opposition accuses PM Imran Khan of buying time to muster support after delay in no-confidence motion With the political temperature hitting boiling point, Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has hinted towards calling for early elections, which he said may be called immediately after the federal budget for fiscal year 2022-23 is presented. During a press conference, Rasheed said that he had advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to call for elections after the budget, insisting that Khan`s popularity had increased in the wake of opposition's no-confidence motion against him. "I am asking for early elections after presenting a good budget because this incompetent opposition has allowed us to win again", he said. "When the Pakistani nation sees their opposition leaders' faces, they switch channels," he added. Taking a jibe on opposition leader and PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif, Rasheed said, "this is the same Shahbaz Sharif who says Nawaz Sharif greatly respects Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the army". Also read | Witchcraft, theft, corruption: It's mud-slinging time in Pak ahead of a no-confidence vote "Where did the 'vote ko izzat do' go? The vote has been sold at shops, they have insulted democracy", he added reminding of Nawaz Sharif`s statements where he blamed the country`s military establishment for ousting him from power. Rasheed also said that the no-confidence voting was likely to take place on the April 3 or April 4, adding that the defected may be promising opposition benches of their support, but on the day of the voting, they will not vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Watch | Pakistan political turmoil: Imran Khan rejects speculation of involvement of army

Pakistan may go into early elections, says Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed

The issue concerning the appointment of the new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief will be resolved by Friday, Pakistan's&nbsp;interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said today.

The development comes as reports of the impasse between the civil and military leadership over the appointment of ISI chief has refused to die down.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-wants-isi-chief-faiz-hameed-to-continue-amid-differences-with-pakistan-army-420325">Also Read:&nbsp;Imran Khan wants ISI chief Faiz Hameed to continue amid differences with Pakistan Army</a>

Sheikh Rasheed told media persons that there was no rift between the government and the establishment over the issue of critical appointments, Pakistan media reports said.

"Some elements are deliberately trying to make sensitive institutions controversial, but they will fail miserably," Rasheed told journalists in Islamabad while refuting reports about internal rifts.&nbsp;

The minister said all issues related to the appointment of the ISI director-general have been settled to the mutual satisfaction of the army and the Prime Minister's Office.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/entire-nation-is-crying-maryam-nawaz-slams-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-421413">Also Read |&nbsp;'Entire nation is crying': Maryam Nawaz slams Pakistan PM Imran Khan</a>

"I had also met COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is also comfortable with the way the situation has been resolved," he said, assuring that the issue will be resolved by next Friday.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz blasted Prime Minister Imran Khan in the matter of ISI chief posting and said PM has made a mockery of the country's armed forces in the entire world.

Her remarks came while addressing a rally of the anti-government alliance, famously known as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in Faisalabad`s Dhobi Ghat, Pakistan media reported.

"For the sake of one person, who is your 'master', to keep him on the seat... you have made a mockery of Pakistan Army," Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the rally.

She said postings and transfers in the military are not being done by PM Office or any other institution but by "spirits and ghosts".

Maryam said PM Khan did not approve the notification of the new ISI chief's appointment to save his government and added that the PTI-led government would collapse as soon as the incumbent ISI chief is transferred.

"You [PM Imran] are worse than any dictator... never try to be like Nawaz Sharif... jackal can never become lion by wearing the lion skin," Maryam was quoted as saying by Express Tribune.

On Monday, the Pakistan military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations had issued a notification regarding the appointment of Lt General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as DG ISI despite the fact that his appointment was not issued by PM Khan`s office.

The issue concerning the appointment of the new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief will be resolved by Friday, Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said today.

The issue concerning the appointment of the new Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief will be resolved by Friday, Pakistan's interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said today. The development comes as reports of the impasse between the civil and military leadership over the appointment of ISI chief has refused to die down. Also Read: Imran Khan wants ISI chief Faiz Hameed to continue amid differences with Pakistan Army Sheikh Rasheed told media persons that there was no rift between the government and the establishment over the issue of critical appointments, Pakistan media reports said. "Some elements are deliberately trying to make sensitive institutions controversial, but they will fail miserably," Rasheed told journalists in Islamabad while refuting reports about internal rifts. The minister said all issues related to the appointment of the ISI director-general have been settled to the mutual satisfaction of the army and the Prime Minister's Office. Also Read | 'Entire nation is crying': Maryam Nawaz slams Pakistan PM Imran Khan "I had also met COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is also comfortable with the way the situation has been resolved," he said, assuring that the issue will be resolved by next Friday. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz blasted Prime Minister Imran Khan in the matter of ISI chief posting and said PM has made a mockery of the country's armed forces in the entire world. Her remarks came while addressing a rally of the anti-government alliance, famously known as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), in Faisalabad`s Dhobi Ghat, Pakistan media reported. "For the sake of one person, who is your 'master', to keep him on the seat... you have made a mockery of Pakistan Army," Maryam Nawaz said while addressing the rally. She said postings and transfers in the military are not being done by PM Office or any other institution but by "spirits and ghosts". Maryam said PM Khan did not approve the notification of the new ISI chief's appointment to save his government and added that the PTI-led government would collapse as soon as the incumbent ISI chief is transferred. "You [PM Imran] are worse than any dictator... never try to be like Nawaz Sharif... jackal can never become lion by wearing the lion skin," Maryam was quoted as saying by Express Tribune. On Monday, the Pakistan military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations had issued a notification regarding the appointment of Lt General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as DG ISI despite the fact that his appointment was not issued by PM Khan`s office.

Met General Bajwa, ISI chief issue to be settled by next Friday, says Pak minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad

The Wuhan virus has infected the Pakistani leadership with Prime Minister Imran Khan leaving everything to chance.

The Pakistan prime minister did not impose a strict lockdown, nor did he shut places of worship and allowed citizens to violate all guidelines. Now karma has hit him hard with his own ministers being forced to work from home.&nbsp;

The list of high-profile coronavirus afflicted patients keeps growing. The latest leader to have caught the virus is the point-person for the disease itself - Dr&nbsp;Zafar Mirza - the man responsible for Pakistan's pandemic response. Mirza tested positive for the virus and he made the announcement earlier today on Twitter.

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Dr Mirza has mild symptoms, he has isolated himself and is said to be taking all precautions. Mirza was earlier facing criminal investigation for smuggling 20 million masks but was acquitted.

Not just Mirza, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also tested positive last week and has been moved to a military hospital in Rawalpindi. He is carrying out his duties from home, so is the federal minister for information and telecommunications.

Syed Aminul Haq also tested positive two weeks back, next on the list was federal minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed who tested positive the virus on June 8 and spent most of the month at a military hospital in Rawalpindi.

Imran Ismail, PTI leader and governor of the Sindh province, had also tested for the virus two months back. However, PM Imran Khan didn't take the pandemic seriously. Last month, he was served another reminder. The former prime minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also caught the virus. The former Pakistan PM had tested positive last month and had to quarantine himself at home.

Abbasi joins a long list of Pakistani leaders who have tested positive for the Wuhan virus. There are more leaders who caught the virus - Sharjeel Memon from the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chaudhary Ali Akhtar, PTI provincial lawmaker, Asad Qaiser, Speaker of the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in the Pakistan National Assembly - all of them were hit by the virus.

There are more names - Saeed Ghani, Pakistan Peoples Party leader, Syed Fazal Agha, ex-governor of Balochistan, Shaheen Raza, PTI lawmaker in Punjab province, Ghulam Murtaza Baloch, minister for human settlements in Sindh province. They all caught the virus in the last 6 months.

The Wuhan virus has infected the Pakistani leadership with Prime Minister Imran Khan leaving everything to chance. The Pakistan prime minister did not impose a strict lockdown, nor did he shut places of worship and allowed citizens to violate all guidelines.

The Wuhan virus has infected the Pakistani leadership with Prime Minister Imran Khan leaving everything to chance. The Pakistan prime minister did not impose a strict lockdown, nor did he shut places of worship and allowed citizens to violate all guidelines. Now karma has hit him hard with his own ministers being forced to work from home. The list of high-profile coronavirus afflicted patients keeps growing. The latest leader to have caught the virus is the point-person for the disease itself - Dr Zafar Mirza - the man responsible for Pakistan's pandemic response. Mirza tested positive for the virus and he made the announcement earlier today on Twitter. Dr Mirza has mild symptoms, he has isolated himself and is said to be taking all precautions. Mirza was earlier facing criminal investigation for smuggling 20 million masks but was acquitted. Not just Mirza, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also tested positive last week and has been moved to a military hospital in Rawalpindi. He is carrying out his duties from home, so is the federal minister for information and telecommunications. Syed Aminul Haq also tested positive two weeks back, next on the list was federal minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed who tested positive the virus on June 8 and spent most of the month at a military hospital in Rawalpindi. Imran Ismail, PTI leader and governor of the Sindh province, had also tested for the virus two months back. However, PM Imran Khan didn't take the pandemic seriously. Last month, he was served another reminder. The former prime minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also caught the virus. The former Pakistan PM had tested positive last month and had to quarantine himself at home. Abbasi joins a long list of Pakistani leaders who have tested positive for the Wuhan virus. There are more leaders who caught the virus - Sharjeel Memon from the Pakistan Peoples Party, Chaudhary Ali Akhtar, PTI provincial lawmaker, Asad Qaiser, Speaker of the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition in the Pakistan National Assembly - all of them were hit by the virus. There are more names - Saeed Ghani, Pakistan Peoples Party leader, Syed Fazal Agha, ex-governor of Balochistan, Shaheen Raza, PTI lawmaker in Punjab province, Ghulam Murtaza Baloch, minister for human settlements in Sindh province. They all caught the virus in the last 6 months.

Pakistan ministers hit with virus as PM Imran refuses to impose strict lockdown