Imran Khan's party considering mass arrest of opposition leaders ahead of no-confidence motion: Pak journalist

Apr 02, 2022

Islamabad [Pakistan], April 2 : A Pakistani journalist claimed that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is actively considering the idea of a mass arrest of a large number of opposition leaders ahead of the no-confidence motion against the PM.
Taking to Twitter, Nusrat Javeed, a Pakistani journalist, wrote, "The idea of mass arrest of a big number of opposition leaders is still being actively considered; intense reading of Section 120 etc of Pakistan Penal Code to carve enabling powers. To me, seems like an exercise in futility, however."
This is not an isolated instance where the Pakistani media has raised their voice against the PM as earlier, a Pakistan journalist while taking a dig at the statement made by Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding Washington's role in an alleged "foreign conspiracy" to oust him from power, questioned why the United States was invited at the OIC meeting if PM received a threat from the country.
Senior anchor Hamid Mir in Geo News programme "Capital Talk" asked if the US had conveyed such a huge threat to Pakistan then why Imran Khan invited US Under Secretary of state Uzra Zeya to the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers conference held in Islamabad on March 21, reported the News International.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his tweet said, "Constructive meeting with @UnderSecStateJ, visiting to attend #OIC48CFM, promoting more engagement between US & OIC States. We welcome leadership in the Extended Troika for sustainable peace in Afg. Imp for int'l community to prioritize the humanitarian need of ppl of Afg."
"Bilaterally, Pakistan has a longstanding relationship with the US and we believe a regular and structured dialogue process is important to promoting our bilateral and shared regional objectives. We look forward to commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties this year," he said in his second tweet, as per the newspaper.
Earlier, in another similar incident, Pakistani journalist, Syed Talat Hussain while taking a jibe at Prime Minister Imran Khan questioned him as to 'why cry global conspiracy' and yet invite the US delegation. Taking to Twitter, Hussain wrote, "So you cry global conspiracy (by Washington) and also warmly invite and welcome their delegation to the OIC conference? Not to mention holding joint air exercises Falcon Talon?"
This comes at a time when PM said that he will share the 'foreign-funded conspiracy' letter with senior journalists and ally party members which has evidence that outside elements are trying to topple the government.
After the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was tabled in the National Assembly with a total of 161 votes in favour, the proceedings were adjourned till March 31.
The no-confidence motion was submitted by the Opposition parties on March 8. The Opposition has been confident that its motion would be carried as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan.