ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Monday revealed that he is unaware of the “written letter” received by Prime Minister Imran Khan, which provides evidence that “foreign powers’ involvement in trying to topple the government”.
Addressing a press conference, the interior minister reiterated that international conspiracies were a reality, but added he no idea about the letter that the PM had referred to in his speech on Sunday.
Talking about no-confidence motion against PM Imran, Rashid said that the next 72 hours were crucial, insisting that the opposition’s no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan would be decided by March 31.
Rashid said the situation on the day of voting on the no-confidence resolution could change even an hour before the vote, observing that it was the opposition, and not the government, that needed to show the strength of 172 lawmakers.
“People must shun the idea that Imran’s politics is teetering on the brink, especially after his ‘great’ rally in Islamabad a day ago,” he added. Rashid also called the opposition’s campaign against the prime minister “a conspiracy to weaken Pakistan”.
The federal minister said he had asked PM Imran Khan to announce elections after Hajj, dissolve the Punjab Assembly and impose governor’s rule in Sindh as the people [MNAs] were being bought.
The interior minister further said international conspiracies were often hatched against countries with a weak economy. “An independent foreign policy can only be introduced by a brave leader,” he said, referring to the prime minister.
To a question about PTI’s allies in Punjab and Centre, Rashid said he did not want to annoy PML-Q, adding that he respected the Chaudhrys. “But I do not forgive those who attack me.”
Regarding JUI-F’s public gathering scheduled today, he said that the party was not allowed to hold today’s rally and sit-in as their no-objection certificate (NOC) has expired. However, he said, PML-N has the required permission to hold their rally.
