Cabinet approves sharing 'threat letter' with CJP, Senate chairman, NA speaker

• PM Imran Khan chairs special federal cabinet meeting.
• Government decides to share "threat letter" with CJP tonight.
• NA session still underway since 10:30am.

ISLAMABAD: Federal cabinet late Saturday approved sharing the alleged "threat letter" received from the United States with Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, and National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser tonight.

The federal cabinet's nod, according to sources, was needed as the "threat letter" falls under the Official Secrets Act, 1923.

Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari, Education Minister Shafqat Mehmood, Minister for Communications and Postal Services Murad Saeed, and others attended the meeting, sources said.

On March 30, the IHC had hoped the prime minister would not make a "secretive" memo public that, according to the government, "threatens" Pakistan's sovereignty.

In a written order, IHC CJ had said the court is confident that as an elected prime minister, Imran Khan would not disclose any information or act in breach of section 5 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923, or violate the oath taken by him under the Constitution.

"Any decision taken by the Prime Minister has to be in consonance with his obligations under the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and in letter and spirit of the oath of the office," the written order had read.

The prime minister had first revealed the "threat letter" — that allegedly mentioned the toppling of his government and the Opposition's no-confidence motion — on March 27 and later he said it was sent by America's Assistant Secretary of State for the South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu.

It is worth mentioning that the meeting is being held at a time when the crucial National Assembly for the voting on no-confidence motion is underway since 10:30am — and has been delayed with four breaks.

It was earlier reported that the government’s strategy is to scuttle the proceedings and delay the voting through MPs' lengthy speeches on "foreign conspiracy”.

'Will not accept defeat'

Meanwhile, in a conversation with journalists, PM Imran Khan said the letter will be shared with the CJP, Senate chairman, NA speaker, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Nadeem Raza, and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

“There was neither any talk of dismissing the army chief nor was this on the cards,” PM Imran told journalists. "I will do my job as per the law and in line with the Constitution," the PM said.

He said that he would not accept defeat and will not let the foreign conspiracy succeed.

The PM said that the "threat letter" will be shared with the chief justice of Pakistan, chairman senate, army chief and joint chiefs of staff committee.

"Neither we accepted defeat earlier nor will accept now," he said.

"I am alone but will fight for the nation and will not compromise. I will not go against my oath and the country."

The prime minister said that they have all the details about the American diplomats' meeting here.

He said that the most the Opposition can do are put him behind bars.

On a question about the National Assembly session, he said that he will attend the session and no hurdle will be created in the proceedings.