PM Imran Khan offers ‘deal’ to Opposition via ‘important’ person: sources

ISLAMABAD: As the Opposition’s number game gets stronger, Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered to dissolve the assembly if the no-confidence motion against him is withdrawn, Geo News reported Thursday, citing sources.

According to the sources, an “important personality” has given a message of PM Imran Khan to the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif.

This was revealed during the meeting of the Opposition leaders today ahead of the crucial National Assembly session for the debate on the no-confidence motion.

It was shared that the premier has asked for a “safe passage” amid a deepening political crisis.

Sources further added that PM Imran Khan has said that if the Opposition doesn’t agree to his suggestion, he is ready to face any situation.

The joint Opposition reviewed the suggestion and message of the “important person” during their meeting today.

Sources, however, added that the majority of the Opposition leaders recommended not to trust PM Imran Khan and suggested asking the NA speaker for holding the voting on the motion at the earliest.

'Face-saving'

“We have the numbers. We will get benefit if the process is completed on the motion as soon as possible.”

The sources said the Opposition has suggested that the only option for “face-saving” is PM Imran Khan’s resignation.

Moreover, the Opposition has decided not to attend the National Security Committee meeting scheduled to be held today at 6pm under the chairmanship of National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

According to the NA Secretariat, during the National Assembly NSC meeting, the members will be briefed regarding the “threat letter” and members of all parties have been invited.

PM 'attacking' everyone

Meanwhile, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari while talking to the media in Parliament House said that the matter of "threat letter" is not a matter of national security.

"PM Imran Khan made one of his ministers write the letter," Bilawal said, adding that no invitation for the NSC meeting has been received, nor is the meeting needed.

"He [PM Imran Khan] is attacking everybody by holding his position," he said, adding that the premier has played his “innings and faced defeat”.

'No NRO,' joint Opposition tells PM Imran Khan

Meanwhile, in a statement, the joint Opposition — which met at the residence of Shahbaz in Islamabad — clearly said that the prime minister will not be granted an "NRO".

The meeting participants, who discussed the country's overall political situation and the no-confidence motion, said the joint Opposition has enough numbers to oust the premier.

"The joint Opposition has more numbers than required [...] Imran Niazi has lost the majority in the National Assembly," the statement said.

The joint Opposition said the no-confidence motion would mark a new start for the country. "Imran Niazi has unconstitutionally occupied the prime minister's office."

The statement added that the prime minister, in his bid to keep the office, has asked 100,000 PTI supporters to gather in Islamabad to threaten the Opposition.

"Imran Niazi is pushing the country towards anarchy, conflict, and chaos [...] If unforeseen incidents take place, Imran Niazi will be responsible for it," it added.