Pakistan: Leader of Opposition Shahbaz Sharif Tables No-Confidence Motion Against PM Imran Khan

Sharif first moved a proposal in the lower house of bi-cameral parliament to table the no-confidence motion against PM Khan. The resolution was approved with 161 “yes” votes. 

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during the 48th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers, in Islamabad on March 22, 2022 | AFP

New Delhi: Pakistan’s Leader of Opposition and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) chief, Shahbaz Sharif tabled no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly on Monday, reported news agency PTI.

As the much-anticipated session began after a two-day recess on Monday, Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri asked the members of the Parliament, who are in favour of the motion, to stand up so that their numbers could be counted.

Sharif first moved a proposal in the lower house of bi-cameral parliament to table the no-confidence motion against PM Khan. The resolution was approved with 161 “yes” votes. 

This was followed by tabling of the no-confidence motion by Sharif, capping the first phase of the constitutional procedure.

Voting for the motion should be done between 3-7 days, so Deputy Speaker Suri who chaired the session in the absence of Speaker Asad Qaidar, prorogued the session until 4 pm March 31, when it would reconvene for debate and voting.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that the no-confidence resolution would be decided by March 31, adding that Prime Minister Khan was not going anywhere.

"People must shun the idea that Imran's politics is teetering on the brink, especially after his 'great' rally in Islamabad a day ago, he said while talking to the media, and termed the move as "a conspiracy to weaken Pakistan".

In order to foil the bid, Prime Minister Imran Khan needs to bag 172 out of 342 total. Situation for PM Khan at the  moment seems difficult as his allies with 23 members are not on his side and about two dozen lawmakers from within the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf have revolted.