Fears of unrest in Islamabad as govt, Opposition parties to hold rallies ahead of no-confidence vote
India Today
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has been saying that the vote of no-confidence motion against him is part of an international conspiracy against his government because he has been championing the cause against Islamophobia.
Pakistan's National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned today's session till Monday, sparking protests from opposition benches who have been accusing him of partisanship. As Prime Minister Imran Khan faces a no-confidence motion, which is now likely to be tabled in the National Assembly on Monday, the political temperature of the capital has risen. The possibility of unrest on the roads on D-Day cannot be ruled out because the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has a track record of instigating violence during protests.
PTI representatives have been indirectly threatening their dissident colleagues with violence if they vote against PM Imran Khan.
Addressing the defecting members of his party a few days ago, Federal Minister Fawad Chaudhry had said that the party would hold a rally to show its power in Islamabad ahead of the no-confidence vote and all those who plan to vote against the prime minister will have to pass through the crowd to reach the parliament house and will face the public again when they leave the assembly building.
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This statement followed an attack by PTI workers on the Sindh House in Islamabad (a property of the provincial government of Sindh -- which is led by PTI's rival Pakistan People's Party) where several dissident lawmakers of the PTI were staying, citing threats from the government. Two PTI MNAs Faheem Khan and Ataullah Niazi, who were leading the mob, were briefly arrested before their colleague, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shahbaz Gill, got them released on a personal guarantee.
The opposition members whom I spoke with in the past few days seem confident that the number game is in their favour, and they will succeed in passing the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan. They have also planned counter-protests in the capital. Opposition party Pakistan Muslim League - N (PML-N)'s long march will arrive in Islamabad on Monday, a day after the ruling PTI has planned its protest.
The opposition's confidence may be linked to Imran Khan's apparent falling out with the establishment. The establishment which was earlier heavily biased in favour of Imran Khan has suddenly become 'neutral', as per statements of pro-establishment anchors and journalists.
