Pakistan political crisis: Prime Minister Imran Khan loses trust vote, govt falls

PTI

Islamabad, April 9

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan lost a crucial trust vote in the National Assembly past midnight on Saturday, becoming the first premier in the country's history to be removed through a no-confidence motion.

Khan, 69, was not present in the lower house at the time of voting. His party lawmakers staged a walkout.

The joint Opposition - a rainbow of socialist, liberal and radically religious parties - secured the support of 174 members in the 342-member National Assembly, more than the needed strength of 172 to oust the prime minister on a day full of drama and multiple adjournments of the lower house.

No prime minister in Pakistan's history was ever ousted through a no-confidence motion. Khan is the first premier whose fate was decided through a trust vote.

Also, no Pakistani prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term in office.

The opposition had filed the no-confidence motion on March 8, setting a set of events leading to the day of voting and rise in the tension due to Khan's insistence that he was being targeted as part of a “foreign conspiracy” with the collaboration of top opposition leaders.

Khan, who came to power in 2018 with promises to create a ‘Naya Pakistan', was dogged by claims of economic mismanagement as his government battled depleting foreign exchange reserves and double-digit inflation.

He apparently also lost support of the powerful Army after he refused to endorse the appointment of the ISI spy agency chief last year. Finally he agreed but it soured his ties with the powerful Army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75 years of existence and has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy.

Khan wanted to keep Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as the spy chief but the army high command transferred him by appointing Corps Commander in Peshawar.

Ahead of the voting, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri resigned.

Qaiser said he could not take part in a foreign conspiracy to oust the prime minister.

After announcing his resignation, Speaker asked Ayaz Sadiq of PML-N to chair the proceedings.

Voting on the resolution then began at 11:58pm (local time). Sadiq adjourned the house for two minutes due to the change of day at 12. The new session then began at 12:02am.

Earlier, the crucial session convened in line with a landmark Supreme Court ruling to decide the fate of Prime Minister Khan witnessed multiple adjournments and heated arguments. PTI

00:24 10 Apr

Panel chairman Ayaz Sadiq begins voting process

00:20 10 Apr

Pakistan assembly speaker, deputy speaker resign

22:43 09 Apr

Pakistan's army chief meets PM Khan amid impasse over parliamentary vote: Sources

Pakistan's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday met Prime Minister Imran Khan amid an impasse over a parliamentary vote to oust the premier, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Khan tried to block a no-confidence motion last week and dissolved the lower house of parliament, but Pakistan's top court ordered on Thursday the vote would have to be held by Saturday.

21:17 09 Apr

Bilawal Bhutto accuses Imran of seeking military intervention

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was seeking military intervention in the country's political affairs by delaying voting on a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly and to create a constitutional crisis, the media reported. Read story

18:35 09 Apr

Pak PM Khan calls Cabinet ministers' meeting

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of his cabinet ministers late on Saturday night, even though his government is expected to lose the no-confidence motion scheduled to take place later in the evening, according to local media reports. Read story

17:31 09 Apr

Go to India if you like it so much: Nawaz Sharif's daughter to Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Pakistan's Opposition leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Saturday lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan for lavishing praise on India, saying he should go to the neighbouring country if he likes it so much. Read full story

17:30 09 Apr

US bluntly rejects Pak PM Khan’s allegations of ‘conspiracy’ to overthrow his government

The US has bluntly rejected Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan’s latest allegations of a “foreign conspiracy” plotted in Washington to overthrow his government with the help of the Opposition parties, saying there is “absolutely no truth” to these claims. Read full story

 

11:15 09 Apr

National assembly proceedings start

National assembly proceedings have started.

10:03 09 Apr

Opposition needs 172 members to orchestrate downfall of PM Khan

The Opposition parties need 172 members in the 342-member house to orchestrate the downfall of Prime Minister Khan.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.