Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, facing a trust vote in Pakistan’s parliament, has been hit by resignations today after the motion of no confidence was tabled in the Pakistan National Assembly against him. The first to give notice was Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, a member of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
Following Bazdar’s resignation, Housing Minister and leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Tariq Bashir Cheema quit the federal cabinet, Pakistan news outlet ARY News reported. “I have tendered my resignation from the cabinet,” Tariq Bashir Cheema was quoted as saying by ARY News.
PML-Q is a key ally of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) in the Centre and in Punjab.
Following Bazdar’s resignation, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly in Pakistan and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi met Prime Minister Imran Khan to express his confidence in Khan’s government and announce his support for Imran Khan, facing a trust vote in Pakistan’s parliament.
Imran Khan’s party, in an attempt to placate allies of the ruling coalition ahead of the trust vote, tweeted that the prime minister has decided to nominate Elahi as its candidate for the next Punjab Chief Minister and added that all issues have been settled in the meeting.
Also Read: | No-confidence motion against Pak PM Imran Khan tabled in parliament
The motion of no confidence against embattled Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was tabled in the Pakistan National Assembly for debate before the House adjourned for the day today. The National Assembly met today after a two-day recess when the motion was formally tabled amid a volatile political situation in the country.
Introducing the no-trust motion in the Pakistan parliament, the Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif said: “I am presenting a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister.”
161 members of the Assembly voted in favour of the motion against PM Khan.
The next session will be held on March 31 from 4:30pm (India time), the local media in Pakistan reported.
Imran Khan came to power in 2018 with the promise of a “Naya Pakistan” but failed miserably as the prices of essential commodities skyrocketed in the country, allowing the opposition to wage a war on his government.
69-year-old Imran Khan is heading a coalition government and could be removed if any of the partners decide to switch sides.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, with 155 members, needs at least 172 lawmakers on its side to remain in power.