Pakistan is headed for fresh elections after a dramatic day of developments plunged the country into deeper political turmoil and culminated in Parliament being dissolved.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday congratulated the nation after the deputy speaker of the national assembly dodged voting on a no-confidence motion against the premier on grounds it was “unconstitutional,” with the president subsequently dissolving the national assembly.
“The public decides who they want in power,” Khan said. “I want to tell the public to get ready for elections.”
Khan had said that the campaign to oust him through a no-trust vote was part of a foreign conspiracy orchestrated by the United States.
“We will not let such a (foreign) conspiracy succeed,” Khan said in an address to the nation after the parliament session.
“No foreign government or corrupt people will decide (the fate of the nation).”
The joint opposition filed the no-trust motion against Khan earlier this month, accusing him of orchestrating an economic meltdown, foreign policy failures, and poor governance.
Under the Pakistani constitution, a prime minister is elected by a majority of the lower house, the National Assembly. A candidate needs a simple majority of legislators, 172, to vote for them to become prime minister. That is the same number of votes needed in a no-confidence vote to oust them and dissolve their cabinet.
The opposition collectively had 162 members, while the government had the support of 179 lawmakers, including its coalition partners.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday congratulated the nation after the deputy speaker of the national assembly dodged voting on a no-confidence motion against the premier on grounds it was “unconstitutional,” with the president subsequently dissolving the national assembly.
“The public decides who they want in power,” Khan said. “I want to tell the public to get ready for elections.”
Khan had said that the campaign to oust him through a no-trust vote was part of a foreign conspiracy orchestrated by the United States.
“We will not let such a (foreign) conspiracy succeed,” Khan said in an address to the nation after the parliament session.
“No foreign government or corrupt people will decide (the fate of the nation).”
The joint opposition filed the no-trust motion against Khan earlier this month, accusing him of orchestrating an economic meltdown, foreign policy failures, and poor governance.
Under the Pakistani constitution, a prime minister is elected by a majority of the lower house, the National Assembly. A candidate needs a simple majority of legislators, 172, to vote for them to become prime minister. That is the same number of votes needed in a no-confidence vote to oust them and dissolve their cabinet.
The opposition collectively had 162 members, while the government had the support of 179 lawmakers, including its coalition partners.
