Washington persuades the opposition to topple his government, says Imran Khan

New Delhi:  Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday accused the United States of being behind the opposition’s attempt to overthrow his government.

Khan’s statement to reporters in the capital, Islamabad, came on the eve of a vote in the Pakistani parliament to withdraw confidence from his government .

“The (opposition) attempt to isolate me is a clear US interference in our internal politics,” Khan said, noting that the Pakistani ambassador in Washington had received a “threat message” during an official meeting with US officials.

He added that the message includes the phrase “Pakistan will be pardoned in the event of Imran Khan’s departure; otherwise, there will be consequences.”

Khan pointed out that US officials believe that his visit to Russia – coinciding with the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine – is a decision that Khan made on his own.

And he indicated that the visit to Russia came in consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the army, and high-ranking Pakistani institutions.

Khan said the vote of no-confidence against him was a blatant attempt to change the regime in Pakistan , and he “planned it in cooperation with the United States.”

Khan also expressed his respect for the Pakistani military’s neutrality in the attempt to overthrow his government.

The Pakistani Prime Minister is facing a vote of no confidence in him and his government, against the backdrop of the economic crisis and inflation problems, according to The Eastern Herald correspondent.

Khan’s PTI is struggling to maintain a narrow majority, as his allies appear “uncomfortable” about their continued support for the government.

In the 342-member Parliament, the Pakistan Insaf Movement has 155 seats and relies on its allies to win a simple majority of 172 seats.

However, Khan lost this simple majority after more than a dozen lawmakers defected from his party, raising the risk of political turmoil in the nuclear-armed country.

The pro-Imran Khan coalition is made up of the Pakistan Muslim League, the Qawami United Movement, the Balochistan Awami Party, and a number of independent MPs.

The opposition, which already has 163 seats in the House of Representatives, needs just 10 more votes to oust Imran Khan and his government.

The opposition blames Khan for mismanaging the economy and foreign policy, which the prime minister denies.

The Constitution of Pakistan states that “in the event that a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister is passed by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister shall cease to take office.”