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Prime Minister Imran Khan: Allegations against the West
Photo: Pradeep Dambarage / dpa
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has indicated that he would not accept a parliamentary vote of no confidence to oust him.
The motion was tabled by several opposition parties accusing Khan of misguided economic policies and a lack of transparency.
A vote is scheduled for Sunday.
Khan accuses the United States of "staging" the no-confidence vote - and announces as a precaution that it may ignore it.
"How can I accept the result when the whole process is discredited?" Khan told a select group of foreign journalists in his office.
"The attempt to depose me is blatant interference by the United States in our domestic politics."
lost majority
Khan has already lost his parliamentary majority after key allies left his ruling coalition and joined the opposition.
Already on Friday, the Prime Minister announced a protest note that he had sent to the American embassy to protest against the alleged conspiracy against him.
US President Joe Biden has always denied any interference by his country.
Even within his country's army, Khan seems to be making few friends with his desperate struggle for office.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, chief of Pakistan's armed forces, said in a speech in Islamabad that Pakistan has "excellent and strategic ties with the United States for a long time" - and would like to further deepen them.
rai/Reuters