Govt, PTI leadership plotting to incite violence in Islamabad on voting day of no-confidence motion: sources

ISLAMABAD: The government and PTI leadership have decided to incite violence in the federal capital tomorrow, sources said, when the National Assembly will vote on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Senior journalist Hamid Mir, during Geo News programme "Naya Pakistan", said sources have informed him that the government and PTI leadership have decided to stop the Opposition lawmakers from exiting the parliament lodges and entering the lower house.

Whether they enter the assembly or even if they are outside, they will be beaten, Mir said, while quoting informed sources, after the prime minister urged the youth and PTI supporters to protest "peacefully" for two days — today and tomorrow.

Plan on delaying vote

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Jawed Khan have told the government that they cannot delay the voting on the no-confidence motion as the Constitution does not allow it.

'No evidence of foreign conspiracy'

Mir, quoting his sources, said an investigation was conducted in Pakistan and outside, but the agencies have found no evidence of a "threat" that the prime minister has mentioned.

The prime minister and the government lawmakers have accused the United States of hatching a "conspiracy" to oust the incumbent government — and claim the Opposition is part of it.

"The prime minister was asked whether he had any evidence of the threat or not, but till now, he did not provide any," Mir said.

PM Office denies the report

However, the Prime Minister's House contradicted the report. "The Prime Minister's Office strongly denies the news and strongly condemns such a one-sided propaganda campaign," said the PM Office.

"Baseless news is being aired on a media channel regarding the no-confidence motion, according to which the opposition members of the National Assembly will be prevented from reaching the lower house tomorrow."

The Prime Minister firmly believes in the democratic process and opposes any unconstitutional move, it added.

'Fake news'

Responding to the development, Information and Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry said PTI is a "middle-class" party, and the media channels that were against it are airing such "fake news".

"I am surprised at their campaign. Everything will happen in line with the Constitution. A civilised nation's protest is also civilised," the information minister added.