No credible evidence of foreign conspiracy against PM Imran Khan government, reports Reuters quoting military sources
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ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan's security agencies have not found credible evidence to confirm Prime Minister Imran Khan's complaint of a ‘foreign conspiracy’ to topple his government, an official with knowledge of the matter, who declined to be identified, told *Reuters* on Tuesday.
Premier Imran and the National Assembly deputy speaker had claimed that National Security Committee, a top panel that groups civilian officials as well as the military and intelligence chiefs, had confirmed a plot to overthrow him.
However, the official, who is privy to such proceedings, said the security agencies had not come to the same conclusion as Imran Khan and had communicated their view to him as well.
Imran Khan lost his parliamentary majority last week and had been facing a no-confidence vote tabled by a united opposition that he was expected to lose on Sunday. But the deputy speaker of parliament threw out the motion, ruling it was part of a ‘foreign conspiracy’ and unconstitutional. President Arif Alvi on PM Imran’s advice then dissolved parliament.
The stand-off has thrown the country of 220 million people, ruled by the military for extended periods since independence in 1947, into a full-blown constitutional crisis.
The opposition challenged Imran Khan's decision in a legal case in the Supreme Court that began on Monday. The panel of five judges has not said when it might give a ruling.
Political chaos would also worry the powerful military, which has stepped in to remove civilian governments and rule on three occasions, citing the need to end political uncertainty.
The turmoil also threatens to damage ties with long-time ally the United States, after Imran Khan accused it of being behind the plot to overthrow him.
The United States dismissed the accusation.
