Image source, PTV
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared on television on Thursday evening and said he would not step down due to the recent crisis. Also, he has stated categorically that he will play till the last ball.
With the Imran Khan government facing a no-confidence motion in the Pakistani parliament, a referendum is likely to be held against him.
In this case, the details of what Imran Khan said on TV:
My Pakistanis, today I would like to share one very important thing with you. I decided to do it live. This is not a recorded video. It is about the future of Pakistan. It is time to make a decision for Pakistan. We have two options. It is up to us to decide which path to take.
I want to speak my mind to you. I want to tell people why someone like me should come to politics. If you look at the life of a leader you will know that no one knew him before he came to politics. Similarly those who achieved before coming to politics are very few.
Gaide Assam Jinnah is the greatest politician. But before he became president, he was recognized as a great lawyer in India and had the same status as him. Most of those who come into politics now do not even know their name out there before they come into politics.
I’m a lucky one. I thank Allah that I had all the money and fame before I came into politics. I still don’t need anything today.
I oppose slavery
I am one of the first generation of Pakistanis born in independent Pakistan. Pakistan is only five years older than me. My parents were born into slavery. My father participated in the Pakistani movement. He will always make me feel that I was very lucky to be born in an independent country. Those who were honest men saw the slavery of the English very badly. We have been told since childhood what honesty is. Honesty is the hallmark of a free nation.
Why did I come to politics? Because I was a political student. Politics at university I read. I came into politics because I thought our country could never change as Allama Iqbal dreamed.
I wanted to be a leader like him. I wanted to fight as he fought for this dream. He fought for Pakistan despite his ill health. It had as big a purpose as Pakistan. We had to become an Islamic Falahi princely state.
This is the reason for the formation of Pakistan.
Those who built our nation have written that we need to create an Islamic state. Whenever we talk about the Islamic State, we are talking about Medina. This is the golden age of Islam. I have always said the same thing since I got involved in politics. I will never bow before anyone. I will not let my people bow their heads. That is, I will never allow my people to be enslaved.
Independent foreign policy
When I came to power, I decided that our foreign policy would be independent. Independent foreign policy means that it must be in Pakistan’s interest. Independent foreign policy does not mean that we will be the enemy of anyone or oppose anyone.
Those in India, if I had known more of a Pakistani it would have been me. Not only because I had friends there. They knew me well through cricket.
I know America very well. Know their politics and leaders. Britain is like a second home for me.
I can not be against any human society. Yes, we criticize their misguided policies. When Pakistan participated in the war on terror. I was present at the meeting when General Musharraf made that decision.
We were told that they should not kill us, even if they did not support the United States. I still said that 9/11 had nothing to do with us. I asked them to help against terrorism, but to sacrifice the Pakistanis for it.
In the 1980s, Pakistan became a leading ally of the United States. We went to war against Russia. We prepared the Mujahideen and said that we are doing jihad because Russia is ruling in Afghanistan.
After that jihad was over, the Soviets were defeated and the United States withdrew, and two years later, the same United States that was our friend imposed sanctions on us. The United States, for which we fought, imposed sanctions on us, said Imran Khan.
Image source, AFP
I will play until the last ball
Nawaz Sharif said he had built many factories for himself in public funds and then used his influence to write off bank loans.
All developed countries have one thing in common – all criminals, no matter how influential, are brought to justice. But not so in Pakistan.
Whatever the outcome of the confidence vote, I will come back strongly. The future of Pakistan will be decided on Sunday. Sunday’s referendum will decide which way Pakistan should go. I will not resign, I will fight till the last ball. We will not allow this country to be betrayed now.
Image source, Getty Images
Imran Khan, who was seen with Princess Diana in 1995, and his wife Jemima Goldsmith
What has happened so far?
Opposition parties have stated they will not run in the by-elections against the ruling Imran Khan government in Pakistan. In this, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement lost its majority in the Imran Khan government as the Pakistan Party withdrew its support for the government.
In this context, its Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri asked MPs to discuss the issues listed in Parliament. But MPs demanded an immediate referendum on the no-confidence motion. There was an uproar when the Deputy Speaker refused to allow it. Following this, the Deputy Speaker announced the adjournment of Parliament until 11 am on Sunday.
Earlier, the resolution was tabled by Opposition Leader Shebaz Sharif on March 28. It was signed by 161 members. It was also agreed to hold a debate on the resolution on the same day. Parliamentary business on the matter, however, was listed as the fourth issue on Thursday.
In this case, the vote on the resolution is expected to take place on April 3.