While senior leader Ahsan Iqbal of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) called on the government’s allies to abandon the ruling party and call for a vote of no-confidence to force the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) out, the party also called a meeting of the opposition at Parliament House on Monday.
Iqbal accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of misleading the public in a statement released on Sunday. He also stated that the government will be unable to collect taxes, and that “this is a golden opportunity for us” given that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has postponed the review of its agreement with Pakistan.
Separately, the PML-N spokesperson said that Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif will preside over a meeting at Parliament House at 3 p.m., with PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and other legislators in attendance.
The meeting’s main topic, according to the statement, would be to discuss the financial bill, among other things, as well as to devise a strategy to prevent the mini-budget from being adopted by parliament.
“Today, I want to urge to the government’s allies, Pakistan has a unique chance,” Iqbal said in a statement.
“Separate from the government if MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement), PML-Q (Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid), and GDA (Grand Democratic Alliance) are concerned about the people of Pakistan and the country’s sovereignty,” he stated.
He went on to say that after the administration is replaced, Pakistan can ask the IMF to examine the deal because it is based on the current government’s “incompetence” and “failure.” He also connected the IMF’s stringent requirements to the government’s internal shortcomings.
Iqbal added that the autonomy of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty, which the government’s allies should oppose alongside inflation.
He expressed the hope that the MQM, PML-Q, and GDA will reassess their ties with the government.
In response to the gas crisis, he stated that he predicted it in October 2021, and now he is predicting Pakistan’s “biggest wheat crisis.” He compared his party’s government to the current one, claiming that the Pakistan they left behind was “self-sufficient.”
In a statement on political concerns, the PML-N senior leader stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the incumbent army chief’s extension ten months ago. He noted that the army chief’s appointment takes place in the last three months, and that arguing about an extension before that is a political card.
“This is another another risky card game,” Iqbal remarked, adding that his party opposes discussing extension requests before they are due.
He went on to say that Pakistan’s army is a professional, national entity, and that instead of involving institutions and “playing a cruel game,” the government should bear the brunt of its “incompetence.”
PM Imran will have to answer for his “corruption” and performance, he added.
Iqbal stated that the foreign funding case against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) shows “Imran Khan’s truth.” He claimed that it had been “proven” that the prime minister had given the Pakistani Election Commission fake credentials (ECP). He accused him of collecting money for Pakistanis and depositing it in his personal accounts. He also claimed that he was “rewarding” donors for their “good actions.” He further stated that the hotel agreement was a bribe to the contributor.
The PML-N leader also spoke about the disaster in Murree, stating that while the Meteorological Department had issued a weather advisory and warned of heavy snowfall, the government continued to celebrate the arrival of tourists to the hill station.
He noted that nearly 100,000 automobiles were permitted to pass through the toll plaza, yet the administration continued to blame the visitors.
He also expressed regret that, while tourists were stranded in Murree, the ruling PTI’s whole leadership was preoccupied with party business in Lahore. He claimed that the chief minister should have rushed to the scene right away.
He interpreted this as evidence that the administration lacks both the administrative capacity and the desire to lead the country.
He stated unequivocally that Pakistan is mired in economic, administrative, political, diplomatic, and social challenges.
Separately, Shehbaz voiced deep concern about the situation in Murree, stating that the government should take effective measures to rescue those stranded in the hill area rather than making remarks.
He also thanked the armed forces for their efforts in the rescue mission.
The opposition leaders also sent their condolences to the families of those who died in the Murree calamity.
