Imran Khan praises India as ‘khuddar quam’

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Lauding India as “khuddar quam” (very self-respecting people), Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that no superpower can dictate terms to the neighbouring country, admitting that both New Delhi and Islamabad do not share a good relationship.

“Indians are khuddar quam (very self-respecting people). No superpower can dictate terms to India,” he said on Friday during his national address on the eve of a controversial no-confidence vote that looks certain to dismiss him.

He added: “I’m disappointed that only due to RSS ideology and what is done with Kashmir we don’t have a good relation.”
Raising the foreign hand charge again, Imran Khan said both India and Pakistan got their independence together but Islamabad gets used as tissue paper and thrown away by the hand of foreign forces.

“We and India got our independence together but Pakistan gets used as a tissue paper and thrown away,” he said adding that while he is not anti-American, the foreign conspiracy is an “attack on our sovereignty.”

Imran Khan government suffered a setback on Thursday as Pakistan Supreme Court set aside the ruling of the Deputy Speaker in which he had rejected the no-confidence motion brough by the opposition.

The court set aside the dissolution of the Pakistan National Assembly and all the subsequent decisions taken.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment over the Supreme Court’s decision.

“I am upset with the Supreme Court’s decision. I was upset because when the Deputy Speaker conducted the probe, the Supreme Court should have investigated it,” he said.

Pointing out at the “rampant horse-trading in the opposition camp”, Imran Khan asked: “Which country’s democracy allows these kinds of acts?”

“I am upset that when these things are happening openly, I have never seen something like this happen in a Western democracy. I have never seen people sell their conscience. The Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance of such activities,” he said.

In an indication that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government could lose the no-trust vote, he urged people to take to the streets on Sunday evening and said he will join them in their struggle.

“You have to come out to protest for Pakistan’s dream on Sunday evening. I will be with you. I will struggle with you. I will not accept any scenario in which an imported government is brought in Pakistan,” he said.

He also referred to his visit to Russia when Moscow launched a military operation in Ukraine and said a US official had told Pakistan diplomat that he (Imran Khan) should not have visited Russia.”

He also lashed out at PML-N chief Shehbaz Sharif, who is the opposition’s choice for Prime Minister.

“We have leaders who say beggars are not choosers…he can sacrifice Pakistan’s everything for the sake of his money,” Imran Khan said.

The Supreme Court gave directions for holding the sitting of the National Assembly “not later than 10:30 am on April 9” for the no-trust vote.

The court set aside all the subsequent steps taken after the rejection of the no-confidence vote.

It also declared that the Prime Minister and federal ministers, ministers of state, advisers stand restored to their respective offices as on April 3.

The top court further ruled that the National Assembly session on the no-confidence motion must be convened by Saturday morning and must not be adjourned until a vote on the motion. (ANI)