No PM has ever served a full term in Pakistan, but Khan is the first to lose office this way.(FILE)
New Delhi:
Imran Khan was dismissed Sunday as Pakistan’s Prime Minister after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament following weeks of political turmoil. A new Prime Minister will be chosen Monday, with Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Shehbaz Sharif almost certain to be picked to lead the country.
Ayaz Sadiq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who was chairing the crucial session, said the nomination papers for the new prime minister may be submitted by 2 pm (local time) on Sunday and the scrutiny would be done by 3 pm.
No Prime Minister has ever served a full term in Pakistan, but Khan is the first to lose office this way.
Opposition supporters took to the streets early Sunday, waving national and party flags from car windows as they raced through the streets. There had been a massive security presence in the capital, but no incidents were reported.
Acting speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said 174 lawmakers had voted in favour of the motion, “consequently the vote of no confidence has passed”.
Khan, 69, who was not present, lost his majority in the 342-seat assembly through defections by coalition partners and even members of his own party, and the opposition had needed just 172 votes to dismiss him.
Here are the LIVE updates on Pakistan Political Crisis:
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What Next In Pakistan After Imran Khan Leaves PM OfficeCandidates for Pakistan’s next prime minister are due to file nomination papers on Sunday after incumbent Imran Khan lost a no-confidence vote in parliament, bringing an end to the former cricket star’s nearly four years in power. Read more here.
What Pakistan’s Political Upheaval Means For India, Rest Of The WorldPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted from office in a no-confidence vote in parliament in the early hours of Sunday after three years and seven months in power.
Since coming to power in 2018, Khan’s rhetoric has become more anti-American, and he expressed a desire to move closer to China and, recently, Russia — including talks with President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 24, the day the invasion of Ukraine began.
At the same time, U.S. and Asian foreign policy experts said that Pakistan’s powerful military has traditionally controlled foreign and defence policy, but Khan’s sharp public rhetoric had an impact on a number of key relationships.
Here is what the upheaval, which comes as the economy is in deep trouble, means for countries closely involved in Pakistan:
Top leaders of Imran Khan’s party on Sunday vowed to fight along with him and praised him for not “bowing down” and walking out “gracefully” after he was removed as Pakistan Prime Minister through a no-confidence vote.
Despite the government’s hectic efforts to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion against Khan, the joint Opposition succeeded in its month-long efforts to oust Khan from the prime minister’s office as 174 members of the 342-member National Assembly voted against him in the wee hours of Sunday after a day of high drama.
He became the first premier in the country’s history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House.
Nominations for new Pakistan PM to be submitted today
As Imran Khan has been dethroned from the position of the Pakistan Prime Minister, the nomination papers for the new prime minister may be submitted by 2 pm today (Sunday) and scrutiny would be done by 3 pm. He summoned the session on Monday at 11 am and said the new premier would be elected then.
Extremely Disturbing News:
Ex Focal person on PM @ImranKhanPTI on Digital, Dr. @arslankhalid_m‘s home has been raided & they have taken all phones from his family!
He has never abused anyone on social media & never attacked any institutions. @FIA_Agency please look into it
– PTI (@PTIofficial) April 10, 2022
Pakistani opposition leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted her opinion on Imran Khan being voted out of government in a series of posts.
Alladolillahi Rabb-Al-Aalameen 🙏🏼
The darkest period in the history of Pakistan has come to an end. We bow our heads before The Almighty and pray for His guidance & success as we embark on a difficult journey of repairing the damage this man has caused to our homeland.– Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 9, 2022
The nightmare for my beloved Pakistan is over. Time to heal & repair.
Pakistan Zindabad 🇵🇰
Nawaz Sharif Zindabad ♥️– Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 9, 2022
The Pakistan National Assembly proceedings were adjourned in the early hours of Sunday and the House will meet again on April 11 at 2 pm to elect the new premier after Pakistan Prime Minister
Imran Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote.
Ayaz Sadiq of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, who was chairing the crucial session, said the nomination papers for the new prime minister may be submitted by 2 pm on Sunday and the scrutiny would be done by 3 pm.