On the eve of a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his confidence in his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s chances of winning the much-anticipated contest in the lower house of parliament.
He also launched a new attack on the unified opposition leadership, alleging that the US sought to bring its “slaves” into the administration.
He mentioned the US several times in his address to PTI legislators at the PM House in Islamabad, claiming that the US worked against his administration in order to depose him.
Due to diplomatic responsibilities, the US’s name had been kept hidden until now — barring a “error” during the PM’s address to the nation on Friday — but PM Imran named the country on many occasions throughout his speech today.
“This game has been going on with some traitors of this nation since October [last year]… I am directly mentioning the country with whom the opposition collaborated today, and it is the United States,” he stated.
PM Imran claimed that the US wants a “slave” Pakistani leadership that would not object to drone strikes and the slaughter of innocent Pakistanis.
“These dishonest people will enslave a nation of 220 million… they (opposition leaders) claim to be the US’s number one servant,” he added.
According to the prime minister, such documents are never handed over in writing, but the US did so, and it is now part of the official record. “It states that if you remove Imran Khan, ties with Pakistan will normalise… they know that after Imran Khan, ‘cherry blossom’ will be the next prime minister,” he remarked, referring to PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.
PM Imran made a dig at Shehbaz, the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, saying that the man who had his sherwani ready for the premiership had no idea what will happen to him on Sunday.
“The game isn’t over until the last ball is struck. Tomorrow is not a concern for me… We will be successful, God willing “he stated
PM Imran slammed the dissident PTI lawmakers, saying he regretted that certain people had sold their souls. “Their photos have gone viral on social media. They’ve gone into hiding for the time being. I am grateful to the Almighty for exposing these individuals… Even shaking hands with such folks will make me feel embarrassed “Added he.
The prime minister stated that the only thing the opposition has asked for in the previous three years is NRO (amnesty), which he will never grant. “Was it for democracy that they (opposition leaders) did what they did? or a country? No, it was simply for the purpose of obtaining NRO… they want me to forget about them, but I will never do so “Added he.
He claimed that the PML-N’s image in Punjab had been ruined, and that the party would not be able to win any by-elections or general elections in the province.
The premier concluded by saying that he will never forget those who stood by him during these trying times. “Those who have stood with me during difficult times are always in my mind… I thank the Almighty that those who joined me solely for the sake of making money are no longer with me.”
