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be delayed after the government pressed for a discussion on the so-called “foreign conspiracy” against it. In line with a landmark Supreme Court order, the National Assembly’s session began in the morning. National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser is chairing the session which began at 10:30 am (local time).
Taking the floor, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif hailed Thursday as a historic day in Pakistan’s history when the Supreme Court rejected the deputy speaker’s ruling and said that the apex court’s decision had made the country’s future “bright”. He called on Speaker Qaiser to conduct proceedings in accordance with the court’s directives, stating that Parliament would be writing history today.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan looked certain to be kicked out of office Saturday by a no-confidence vote in parliament, but a political crisis in the nuclear-armed nation of 220 million will likely continue. Khan lost his majority in the 342-seat national assembly through defections by coalition partners and members of his own Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI), and the opposition need just 172 votes to dismiss him.
Hours before a no-confidence vote against him in Parliament, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday seemed to accept the writing on the wall and urged his supporters to stage peaceful protests across the country when the “new imported government” comes into power on Sunday. In an address to the nation ahead of the no-trust motion on Saturday where he has little chances of surviving unless some miracle takes place, 69-year-old Khan also expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s verdict on the National Assembly deputy speaker’s controversial decision on the rejection of no-trust motion against him.
“I will not accept this imported government, I will take to street. Only people can bring me to power and I will come back with the help of the people,” he said, adding that his supporters should come out on Sunday evening after the new government is expected to be set up.
He taunted the opposition to announce new elections and face the nation with him. “That is why I dissolved the assembly because I want people to elect the new government,” he said. “I am ready for the strugglejoin me in peaceful protest,” said Khan, who has effectively lost the majority in the 342-member house.
Imran Khan plans to fight, taking people into confidence, as he faces the no-trust vote on April 9, a top aide told CNN-News18.
“Khan will fight legally, and in the court of public opinion. The Parliament session will be in-camera and Khan feels it will be the appropriate place to expose everything,” the aide said.
According to sources, Khan is expected to elaborate on the “threat letter”, exposing the alleged “foreign conspiracy” behind the no-trust motion against him.
The opposition parties need 172 members in the 342-member house to orchestrate the downfall of Prime Minister Khan and already they showed the support of more than the needed strength. Now Khan faces the possibility of being the first prime minister in Pakistan’s history to be voted out in a no-confidence motion.
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