PM urges youth to protest against ‘foreign conspiracy’ being hatched against govt

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on the youth to protest for two days — today and tomorrow — against a "foreign conspiracy" being hatched against his government as the National Assembly is all set to vote on the no-confidence motion against him Sunday.

"I want you to protest for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan," the prime minister said during a live question and answer session with the people on Saturday, as the Opposition looks in a firm position to oust the government.

The PTI effectively lost its majority in the 342-member National Assembly Wednesday when a coalition partner — MQM-P — said its seven lawmakers would vote in support of the Opposition alliance. Before them, several other allies had switched sides.

The premier said the "conspiracy" against his government has been proven as the politicians were being "traded out in the open" and trying to take down an elected government just because "they don't like it."

The country will "have no future" if the situation keeps moving in a similar manner, the prime minister said, as he advised the youth to hold "peaceful" protests. "This is your right."

PM Imran Khan said that when the United Kingdom attacked Iraq under the false pretext of having weapons of mass destruction, two million people came out on the streets and protested against it.

As he gave the example of the United Kingdom, the prime minister told the youth to follow it.

"When the nation stands with the truth, it becomes the biggest fear of traitors (Opposition) and those who have sold their conscience," the prime minister said.

PM Imran Khan said he wanted history to remember the "traitors" as they were "conspiring" with foreign powers. He said even the National Security Committee (NSC) had seen the letter.