ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday invited the nation to participate in the PTI's March 27 power show at Islamabad's Parade Ground, calling on the people to join him in "standing against evil".

In the recorded message, the prime minister began by quoting a verse from the Holy Quran. He noted that Muslims had been told to "stand with good and against evil".

"Brazenly, in front of everyone, a gang of thieves has been looting the country for the past 30 years, indulging in corruption and sending money abroad."

He said that this "gang" had united and put a price on the "conscience" of public representatives, adding that these public representatives "were being bought".

"I want the entire nation to join me on March 27 to send one message: that we are not with evil, we are against it. That we are against the crime[s] being committed against democracy and the nation, where the conscience of public representatives is being bought with looted money."

The whole country should know that no one can participate in horse-trading from now on in an effort to damage Pakistan and democracy, he said.

The premier's message comes as the government is facing a no-confidence motion moved by the opposition. National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has summoned the session of the lower house to deliberate on the opposition's no-confidence resolution against PM Imran on March 25 (tomorrow) at 11am.

On Wednesday, the prime minister was informed that the party's allies had decided to side with the opposition, causing the ruling PTI to gear up efforts to appease its annoyed coalition partners.

A government source told reporters that PM Imran was apprised in the PTI’s Political Committee meeting that their allies had decided to join the opposition camp and vote against him on the no-trust motion.

On this, the premier dispatched senior PTI leaders to meet the heads of allied parties and assure them that their reservations would be addressed. He hoped the allies would return to the government and support him in the National Assembly on the voting day.

When contacted, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry claimed the next 48 hours were “quite crucial” when the political ambiguity would be cleared. He hoped that allies will not leave the prime minister’s side in this hour of need.