Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and the person likely to replace PM Imran if the no-trust motion against the incumbent is successful, has told the premier not to harm the nation in his desperation to cling to power.

Speaking to the media after PM Imran's live telethon earlier today (Saturday), Shehbaz said that while claiming to be a victim of an international conspiracy, the premier was himself involved in a conspiracy to divide the people of Pakistan by refusing to follow the path laid out in the Constitution.

“Imran is inciting his supporters to sabotage the decision that will be taken in parliament tomorrow,” said Shehbaz in response to the PM's call to his supporters to come out in protest ahead of Sunday's vote on the no-confidence motion.

He also responded to the premier's claim that he would take legal action against those who have ''betrayed" the people of Pakistan and their trust by stating that a treason case should first be registered against the premier.

“By not ending his sit-in [in 2014] Imran Khan harmed the nation’s pride and for that he should face treason charges,” said Shehbaz.

"If politicians involve themselves in issues of treason and patriotism, then the matter will get out of hand," he continued.

He also provided a clarification on his "beggars cannot be choosers" statement, saying that the premier was trying to twist his statement to suit his narrative.

"I have said on multiple occasions before that 'beggars can't be choosers' and I stand by it," he said, adding that it was the continuous dependency on foreign loans that he is against. "We have to break the begging bowl in order to get rid of these shackles."

"I don't care about Imran Khan's nonsensical statements. A nation's independence has no meaning if it isn’t economically empowered,” said Shehbaz. “There is no freedom without self-reliance."