Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Ali Muhammad Khan, who emerged among a few lawmakers in the treasury benches during the vote of no-confidence on Saturday’s post-midnight NA session, claimed that party chief Imran Khan would return to the leader of the house chair with a “2/3 majority in House” as “time will prove who is a real lion”.

The former parliamentary affairs minister onslaught came as the ruling party chief was defeated in the erstwhile opposition’s vote of no-confidence in NA in the post-midnight session, which was marred by multiple delays, speeches and filibusters as well as breaks ostensibly to delay the vote.

“Still many people are standing with us. Congratulation to PTI workers and supporters on today’s defiance and resistance,” Khan said in his speech to the NA as the treasury benches lawmakers had left the House upon the resignation of former NA speaker Asad Qaiser, who abstained from conducting a vote of confidence because of an apparent foreign conspiracy.

The PTI leader said the party accepted the result of the vote of no-confidence “gracefully”. But, he reminded the erstwhile opposition that the former premier “stood tall, fought till last breath, and did not bow to any force.” He prayed for Pakistan’s progress and expressed hope for the return of Imran with a two-third majority.

Taking a jibe at the united opposition, he said: “How will you fight Imran Khan, his soldier [Ali Muhammad Khan] is here for you.” The former minister also quoted religious references in his speech and Quran verses and religious events.

“We are Muslims and our history is rich. The world remembers Imam Hussain (RA) despite temporary failure we all have to walk on this line you,” he said, amid strong reaction from the opposition benches. He advised the opposition to tolerate as he had during the other side of the aisle’s sloganeering and hooting.

“Temporary failure is not an alternative to defeat.”

Taking his point of speech toward PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he alleged that Imran Khan’s sin was to have an intention to form an Islamic bloc and independent foreign policy. He added that the former premier twice brought together the Muslim Ummah to a single platform in two months whereas former premier Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did it once.

“Your laughter will not lower my morale. There are also many people supporting us,” he said in reaction to the opposition’s response. Khan added that the former ruling party also wanted to work for the people but did not agree with the opposition’s way of conduct.

“I often say Russia is only an excuse, Imran’s ouster is a real target,” he said and quoted the alleged “threat letter”.

On PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s allegations against PTI leader Imran, he said: “What kind of [American and Jew] agent he [Imran] was that the US applied all its strength to remove such a person.”