Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said he will not resign at any cost and claimed to have a “surprise” up his sleeve for the Opposition, even as at least three allies of the ruling coalition have said that they will vote against his government during a no-trust motion in parliament later this month.

“I will not resign under any circumstance. I will play till the last ball (...) and I will surprise them (Opposition) a day before as they are still under pressure,” Khan said without revealing further details.

Talking to reporters here, he said the Opposition has played all their cards, but the no-confidence motion against him would not be successful. “My trump card is that I have not laid any of my cards yet,” he said confidently. “No one should be under the false impression that I will sit at home. I will not resign, and why should I? Should I resign due to the pressure from thieves?” he said while referring to the Opposition leaders’ no-trust vote against him.

Around 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) submitted the no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.

On Sunday, the National Assembly Secretariat issued a notification, paving the way for holding the key session on Friday. Khan also said it was wrong to consistently attack and criticise the army as a powerful military was crucial for Pakistan. “Had the army not been here, the country would have split into three parts.” “The army should not be criticised for politicking,” he said. PTI