Faced with trust vote, Imran Khan claims 'foreign conspiracy' to overthrow him

In a massive show of strength ahead of a crucial no-confidence motion against his government, Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday addressed a mammoth rally in the national capital where he claimed that foreign powers were involved in a ‘conspiracy’ to topple his coalition government.

Addressing the rally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) titled ‘Amr Bil Maroof’ (enjoin the good) and billed as a "historic" event at Parade Ground in Islamabad, Prime Minister Khan said foreign elements are using local politicians and money to 'mend the country’s foreign policy' and asserted that he has a letter as ‘evidence’ to support his claims.

'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 said in his marathon speech that lasted more than an hour and a half.

'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,' he said.

Also watch: Explained: why Pakistan PM Imran Khan is likely to lose no-confidence vote

In his speech, Khan also made an impassioned appeal to his party lawmakers while exhorting those from the opposition to desist from voting against him in the upcoming no-trust vote

Pakistan has been on the edge since Opposition parties on March 8 submitted the no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat, alleging that the PTI government led by Prime Minister Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.

On Friday, the National Assembly's crucial session on the no-trust motion against Khan was adjourned by the speaker without tabling of the resolution, amid vociferous protests from opposition lawmakers.