Big blow to Imran Khan by Pakistan SC, will have to face no-confidence motion on Saturday
If Imran Khan loses, he will be the first Prime Minister to be removed through a no-trust vote. Two other Prime Ministers against whom a no-confidence motion was called, resigned before the vote. But Imran Khan had refused to step down, insisting that he would "play till the last ball".
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Islamabad, Apr 8: The dismissal of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan was "unconstitutional", the Pakistan Supreme Court has said, reconstituting the national assembly and ordering the Speaker to call a session. The court has also ruled out a review petition. The no confidence vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan will now be held on Saturday at 10 am.
If Imran Khan loses, he will be the first Prime Minister to be removed through a no-trust vote. Two other Prime Ministers against whom a no-confidence motion was called, resigned before the vote. But Imran Khan had refused to step down, insisting that he would "play till the last ball".
On Sunday, the no-trust motion against Imran Khan's government was dismissed by the Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri. Known to be a loyalist of the Prime Minister, Imran Suri said the motion was against the Constitution and rules of Pakistan and cited security issues as Imran Khan's supporters hit the streets. Minutes later, the Prime Minister had called for fresh elections and advised the President for the dissolution of the Assembly. The fresh election will be held within 90 days, though earlier today, the Election Commission said it cannot be done before October. Terming the move "unconstitutional", the Opposition parties had challenged the Speaker's decision in the Supreme Court.
Under Article 58 of Pakistan's Constitution, the National Assembly cannot be dissolved if there is a no-confidence motion against the government. Imran Khan, he added, "was within his rights to advise the President for dissolution (of assembly)". After the Supreme Court's decision today, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the leader of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), tweeted, "Democracy is the best revenge! Jiya Bhutto! Jiya Awam! Pakistan Zindabad''. Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the man who might replace Imran Khan at the top post, tweeted: "An epoch-making day! Mubarak to all who supported, defended & campaigned for the supremacy of the Constitution. Today, politics of lies, deceit & allegations has been buried. People of Pakistan have won! God bless Pakistan".
