PM refuses to accept ‘minus Imran Khan’ policy

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Friday refused to accept the “minus Imran Khan” policy proposed by Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), reports Geo News.

“This cannot happen in any scenario,” said the PM according to media reports.

Chairing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) political committee, PM Khan said that the parties think this “minus one” formula will save the PTI-led government from falling. 

“Fortunately, they are requesting […] this will boost our morale,” the premier was quoted.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad said that there was a rumour circulating that “everything is okay but Imran Khan. Everything can be saved if we go towards minus one.”

The minister declared that there is “no room for minus one” in the PTI, adding that if anyone had any misunderstanding, they should remove it.

MQM-P Convener Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, during an interview in Geo News’ programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath“, said, in the light of current developments, he thinks there was no chance for PM Imran Khan to stay in the office any longer.

“After today’s events, PTI government can survive but the prime minister’s survival is unlikely,” Siddiqui said.

اتحادیوں کا وزیراعظم کو مشورہ:

اگر وزیر اعظم چاہیں تو اب بھی تحریک انصاف کی حکومت بچ سکتی ہے مگر وزیر اعظم کا بچنا مشکل ہے۔خالد مقبول صدیقی

وزیر اعظم کو چاہیئے کہ آخری وقت تک ایڈوینچر کرنے کے بجائے تحریک انصاف کے ایسے رہنما کو آگے لائیں جو متفقہ امیدوار بن سکے۔طارق بشیر چیمہ pic.twitter.com/9WTiks1dSD

— Shahzeb Khanzada (@shazbkhanzdaGEO) March 17, 2022

Speaking on the same show after Maqbool, PML-Q leader and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema agreed with the MQM-P leader’s views.

“Instead of opting for a new adventure, the prime minister should select a member from within the PTI who will be acceptable to all,” said the PML-Q leader — whose party is an ally in Punjab and the Centre.

“He has time till the [National Assembly votes on the] no-confidence motion,” Cheema said.