We stand with govt, but our options are open: MQM-P’s Amir Khan

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Aamir Khan has said that the party stands with the government, but its "options are open".

Addressing the media following a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan at the MQM-P Office in Karachi on Wednesday, the leader said the opposition parties' no-confidence motion was not discussed, nor had his party had any contact with the opposition.

He said he could not disclose what was discussed at the meeting, but that it took place in a cordial environment.

No-confidence motion is opposition's 'political death'

Addressing a gathering in Karachi, the PM said he had prayed the opposition would file a no-confidence motion against him, as it will spell “their political death”.

He said that his "gun" was now aimed at Pakistan Peoples Party Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari: "Now my first target, who has been under my radar for a long time, is Asif Ali Zardari," he said.

He also came down hard on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz President Shehbaz Sharif, saying that his “time was up" and he would be in jail in the next three months.

Talking about his earlier remarks regarding Pakistan's position on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, he said, “I didn’t say anything to European Union. I only reminded them our 80,000 people gave sacrifices in your war. Our tribal areas were destroyed. Our people were displaced. I only reminded them that we sacrificed for you, but no one appreciated us.”

He added that Pakistan wants to build relationships with everyone but will not allow anyone to undermine its interests.

His statement comes after ambassadors of 23 countries wrote a letter to Pakistan to condemn Russia for the Ukraine invasion.

The PM arrived in Karachi earlier today to hold meetings with MQM-P and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), accompanied by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi.

He was received by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and MQM-P members.

On his trip, the PM will also hold meetings with PTI's members of Sindh Assembly and the party's provincial and divisional level leadership.

The visit comes a day after the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against him in the National Assembly (NA) Secretariat.

The opposition members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam -Fazl (JUI-F) submitted the requisition and 86 lawmakers from the opposition parties signed the motion.

Opposition submits no-confidence motion against PM

The requisition submitted by the opposition reads: “Mr Speaker: We, the undersigned Members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, together totalling more than one-fourth of the total membership of the Assembly, under clause (3) of Article 54 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for the following purpose, to the exclusion of all other business:

(1) to discuss and vote upon the Resolution for a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister under clause (1) of Article 95 ibid, notice of which has been filed with the Secretary of the National Assembly and

(2) if the Resolution for a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister is passed by a majority of vote of the total membership of the National Assembly as a consequence of which Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan ceases to hold office under cause (4) of Article 95, to elect a new Prime Minister under Article 91 read with Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assumedly by, 2007.”