LAHORE: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed said Thursday the country might move towards early elections, but maintained that Prime Minister Imran Khan would defeat the Opposition’s no-confidence motion. “I want Pakistan and democracy to progress […]. The situation in the country is moving towards betterment with every passing day,” the interior minister said while addressing a press conference in Punjab’s capital. Rasheed’s comments come as the political temperature continues to move up, especially in Punjab and the Centre, after the Opposition filed a no-confidence motion against the premier. The prime minister, however, has ruled out stepping down from office and vowed to counter every move the Opposition throws his way. But the joint Opposition has also claimed that the government’s allies — whose support is crucial for PTI to stay in power — have parted ways with the PTI. The government’s ally in the Centre, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has assured PM Imran Khan of complete support ahead of the no-trust motion, while other allies — BAP, MQM-P, and PML-Q — are still indecisive. Moving on, the interior minister said the nation would only hear “good news” from now, as he claimed that the government was also in talks with the Opposition members. “We also have [support] from the Opposition members who will not vote during the no-confidence motion. We have the support of those Opposition members who are responsible,” Rasheed said. The interior minister also told the “turncoats” that if they were of the view that switching parties would help them gain more respect, they were wrong — “it isn’t like that”.He also said that Chief Minister Usman Buzdar was not going anywhere. “And just like me, he will stand with PM Imran Khan to the end.” Rasheed said that he was not in touch with disgruntled PTI leader Jahangir Tareen — whose group has made it clear whether they will support the PM or not.
