Islamabad, March 27 : Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday claimed that ‘foreign powers’ were behind the proposed no-confidence motion being brought up against him in the National Assembly by the opposition, Dawn reported. Khan said that the opposition’s no-trust move is part of an alleged “foreign-funded conspiracy” hatched against his government for his refusal to have Pakistan’s foreign policy be influenced by other countries. Khan made these allegations at his party’s power show titled Amr Bil Maroof (enjoin the good) and billed as a “historic” event at Parade Ground in Islamabad here on Sunday. Khan began his speech, by thanking his supporters for gathering in the capital at his call, adding “I want to speak my heart out and I want you to listen to me quietly. I invited you for Amr Bil Maroof to emphasise that our Pakistan was built on the ideology of Islamic welfare state. We had to build the country on the basis of Riyasat e Madina. Khan further said, “I want to clarify that I also did not know the ideology of Pakistan for quite some time. I left for abroad at the age of 18. As I began to understand the religion, I noticed that the orders of Allah to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) were implemented more in the West. Our Prophet had created Riysat-e-Madina where the state had taken responsibility of its people.” The prime minister linked his crusade against corruption with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Khan’s speech lasted almost two hours, in which he discussed his political ideology, recalled his government’s achievements and criticised his opponents. Taking a dig at the opposition Khan said: “Times have changed. This is not the era of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. This is the era of social media. Nothing can be hidden. We will not accept anyone’s dictation. We will have friendships with everyone but we will not submit ourselves to anyone”. Khan accused the opposition of being used by ‘foreign powers’ to destablise his government, and said “Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money against us. We know from what places attempts are being to pressure us. We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest.” Khan claimed to have evidence of the conspiracy to topple his government, “I am placing the case of Pakistan’s independence before you. The letter I have is proof and I want to dare anyone who is doubting this letter. I will invite them off the record. We have to decide for how long we will have to live like this. We are getting threats. There are many things about foreign conspiracy which will be shared very soon.” “The nation wants to know who the man sitting in London is meeting with and whose directions the characters based in Pakistan are following? I am revealing the proofs we have. I cannot talk more in detail because I have to protect the interest of my country. I cannot talk about anything that harms my country. I could have told you about it. I do not fear anyone but I care about Pakistan’s interest.” Imran Khan recalled his government’s measures to alleviate the burden on the public, like providing loans to families for housing, technical education and small businesses. As soon as our tax was enhanced, I announced a subsidy and reduced rates of petrol and ‘Fazlur Rehman’,” he said. “I also offered a subsidy in power tariff. I promise I will spend more money on my people as our government collects more capital in taxes.” Comparing the opposition, Khan said, “These ‘three stooges’ have been looting the country for years and all this drama is being done to have Imran Khan surrender like Musharraf. They are trying to blackmail the government. General Musharraf tried to save his government and gave these thieves NRO and it resulted in the destruction of Pakistan.” “Today I stand proud that entire world is acknowledging that we protected the economy as well as people from the Covid pandemic.” He also cited a World Bank report, saying that Pakistan has lowest unemployment rate in the South Asia due to his government’s “prudent policies”. Earlier, Khan arrived at the venue in a helicopter to the cheers of the large crowd gathered there in attendance, with buses and cars lined up outside. ACL2256