Is Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan mulling over imposing an emergency? According to media reports, Pakistan’s major opposition parties see a “systematic and planned campaign” behind the circulation of rumours about imposition of some kind of an emergency in the country and ongoing talk in social and mainstream media in favour of presidential form of government.
Senior leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have alleged that Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) is behind such a “campaign” to distract the people’s attention from real issues and its failure on every front.
Pakistan is reeling under severe economic crisis. In the wake of India bailing out Sri Lanka with $1.5 bn bailout, several Pakistani commentators have opined that India could have helped it also had Pakistan shared good relations with India.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is planning to table a no-confidence motion against the government. In that case, PPP is likely to support the move.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari told reporters: “If they (PDM) are ready to withdraw their stance on the issue of en-mass resignations and consider my proposal of bringing a no-confidence motion, then certainly there is a possibility that we can work together.”
However, PTI has dismissed the opposition claim. According to Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, the speculation about emergency or presidential form of government a part of “fake news culture” prevailing in the country thanks to some YouTubers and V-loggers.
Amid this gossip, the members of the joint opposition on Wednesday submitted a resolution to the National Assembly Secretariat expressing the resolve to uphold and strengthen the federal parliamentary system in the country as provided in the 1973 Constitution.
The PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal tweeted, “When the government, imposed through rigged elections, has ruined the country, then whisperings of imposition of an Indira Gandhi-like emergency and change in the system through various formulas are being heard.”
PPP MNA Dr Nafisa Shah said it seemed that the government itself was behind this campaign to divert the attention of the public ahead of the opposition-announced long marches. “The government’s Gestapos and state machinery are behind it (campaign). Those doing it in the media should refrain from it,” she said. Terming it a “drama” and “gimmick”, the PPP MNA “condemned” the campaign and vowed to defend the country’s federal parliamentary system as enshrined in the 1973 Constitution. “If anyone tries to play with the country’s sacred Constitution, he will receive a befitting reply,” she said.
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