Planning Minister Asad Umar on Monday said the ruling party PTI would hold a public gathering at the D-Chowk in Islamabad on March 27, in reaction to the united opposition's rallies as the government prepares for a showdown ahead of the no-confidence motion seeking Prime Minister Imran Khan's ouster.

In a tweet, he said the date was finalised after the final nod from Prime Minister Imran Khan. “The world will see how the people of Pakistan stand with their captain for their independence and sovereignty,” Umar said.

In the recent past, PM Imran in his speeches had vowed to show the opposition its power show as the latter staged anti-government protest rallies to oust the PTI-led government. According to Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, there would be a million people in the rally and it would be held at the "gate of the D-Chowk".

PTI core committee decision

PM Imran Khan chaired the core committee of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Islamabad on Monday, in which party members reiterated their support to the party leadership while also finalising plans to defeat the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the incumbent.

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, flanked by MNA Aamir Mehmood Kiyani, briefed journalists in Islamabad after the meeting in which he also reiterated claims that the united opposition was trying to buy votes.

“Three of our lawmakers were approached, with one of them offered Rs200 million,” Fawad said when asked who was offered the money and how much.

He said that the lawmakers had informed the party leadership of the approach, which sent a clear message to the opposition that votes of PTI lawmakers aren’t for sale.

Expressing confidence in defeating the opposition in the no-trust move, Fawad remarked that the “trio of jokers” – referring to Asif Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif and Fazlur Rehman – would be not found anywhere once the no-trust motion is defeated.

“We are actually thankful to the opposition for coming up with the no-trust move. The PTI had gotten a bit lacklustre and lazy, and after this move, our workers have sprung into action,” he said.

He also expressed confidence that PTI allies – including PML-Q, MQM-P and BAP – would continue to support the government as it has done over the past three and a half years.

Fawad added that PM Imran would never give in to blackmail while stating that the PTI was in control of the government, the political landscape and the country’s future.

On the issue with PML-Q, he asserted that PM Imran views Ch Shujaat as a “brother” and the two had held discussions. When asked about Sheikh Rashid’s “blackmailing” statement that was presumed to be a jibe aimed at the PML-Q, he said that the interior minister had already clarified his statement.

NA Session

He said that the core committee was of the view that the National Assembly session on the no-confidence motion should be held as soon as possible.

“The decision lies with the NA speaker who will make the final call on this,” he said.

He, however, added that the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Affairs meeting was scheduled from March 21-23 and that the NA session shouldn’t clash with that.

“47 ministers have already confirmed participation and the event would take place in the National Assembly as well, so that has to be kept in mind to ensure there is no scheduling conflict,” he added.

Pot-shots at opponents

After mocking Zardari, Fazl and Shehbaz, the federal minister turned his attention to PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his “Awami March” that has arrived at the capital.

After referencing Bilawal’s much-ridiculed spoonerism, he claimed that the PPP had diverted funds from the National Finance Commission (NFC) to finance the march.

“But you saw how their procession dwindled in size as soon as it entered into Punjab,” he said, adding that the difference was stark and clear when PPP’s public events are compared with those held by PTI.

He called PM Imran the only worthwhile leader in Pakistan while stating that PTI’s public gatherings at Hafizabad, Melsi, Mandi Bahauddin and Lower DIr were major affairs, while the next one in Swat would be equally big.

“The mother of all jalsas [public gatherings] will be at D-Chowk,” he said. PM Imran had announced the holding of a PTI rally at around the same time that the opposition was planning to hold one against PM Imran.

He also lauded PM Imran for taking a stance on the global stage and not giving in to foreign diktats. “PM Imran is fighting for the honour and respect of the people of Pakistan, its passport and those who are overseas.”

He said that in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Pakistan’s decision not to be part of any bloc had helped asserted its independence.

“What is the point of freedom if we can’t take a stand,” he added.

Mother of all jalsas

PTI leader Aamir Kayani stated that the public gathering at D-Chowk would be the biggest in Pakistan’s history. “We are expecting a turnout of 1 million people at the greatest power-show in Pakistan’s history,” he said.