Pakistan PM Imran Khan Alleges Horse-Trading by 'Gang Of Thieves', Calls For Show Of Support On March 27

As the Pakistan Prime Minister's grip on power appears to be weakening, he has mobilised his support base by giving a call for a big rally in the heart of Islamabad on March 27. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Video Screenshot: Twitter/@PTIofficial)

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday hit out at the opposition, calling them "a gang of thieves" ahead of the crucial no-trust vote against him.

The remarks come as the cricketer-turned-politician needs to demonstrate a power show of at least 173 lawmakers in Pakistan's National Assembly to remain on the Prime Minister's post.

In a video released on Thursday, Imran Khan cited the Quran as he urged the people of Pakistan to stand against "evil".

Coming down heavily on the Opposition, Imran Khan referred to the leaders as a gang of thieves who have been looting the country for the past 30 years.

"Allah orders Muslims to stand with the good, against the Evil. Society thrives on it. Gang of thieves that has been looting the country for the past 30 years in front of everyone, indulging in corruption and sending our money out, has unitedly set the price of our public representatives conscience. It is openly buying them (parliamentarians)," he claimed.

As the Pakistan Prime Minister's grip on power appears to be weakening, he has mobilised his support base by giving a call for a big rally in the heart of Islamabad on March 27. 

"I want my entire nation to come out with me on the 27th to send out the message that we are against this evil, this crime against our democracy, country, and its people. The nation is against the buying of representatives' conscience using stolen money," he said reiterating his call for the rally.

27 مارچ کو پوری قوم میرے ساتھ نکلے اور بتائے کہ ہم بدی کے خلاف ہیں۔ ڈاکوؤں کے ٹولے نے ملک کا پیسہ چوری کیا اور اب اراکین پارلیمنٹ کے ضمیر کی قیمتیں لگائی جارہی ہیں۔ وزیراعظم عمران خان pic.twitter.com/0DE38w4YSU

— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 24, 2022

"Whole of Pakistan should know that no one in future should dare to put this country's democracy in jeopardy by doing this kind of horse-trading," the Pakistan Prime Minister added.

Earlier, the opposition parties had responded to the call of public support by asking their workers to march towards Islamabad on March 25 to occupy the D-Chowk in front of Parliament where Imran Khan is slated to hold a rally.

As the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government alleges "horse-trading", Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said that Imran Khan was now "former prime minster" as the opposition is set to defeat him during a no-trust vote in parliament.

Addressing a public meeting in Dargai town of Malakand district, he said, "We would remove Imran through democratic process and would not use any undemocratic way, nor will we attack any national institution", the Dawn reported.

Around 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) submitted the no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8, alleging that the PTI government led by Prime Minister Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.

On Sunday, the National Assembly Secretariat issued a notification, paving the way for holding the key session on Friday.