As Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan battles for survival with opposition parties moving a no-confidence motion in parliament, the country’s military, which has withdrawn its support to him, wants him to “respectfully” resign on his own Give, according to the sources.
Another option that Khan is exploring is that Article 36-A of the Constitution was sought by the Supreme Court after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf filed a petition seeking clarification on it after nearly two dozen lawmakers. He calls the National Assembly before giving an interpretation. Threatened to vote in favor of the opposition’s no-confidence motion.
The article stated that anyone who voted against the direction of the party leader against key issues such as a no-confidence vote or a money bill would be disqualified.
The Supreme Court bench had announced the formation of a five-member bench after the initial hearing in the matter and adjourned the hearing till March 24.
Now, the third option before the cricketer-turned-politician is to convene the National Assembly and let the voting take place, and then he is removed.
According to Pakistan sources, if Khan himself does not resign, he will be removed from office and sent to jail for foreign funding.
Khan was elected in 2018 on a promise to get Pakistan’s economy back on track, fight corruption and maintain an independent foreign policy.
Khan’s PTI is trying to decide that the votes of the erring member should not be counted so that the votes of his dissatisfied MPs in favor of the no-confidence motion do not add up to the total votes against the prime minister.
These votes are important as the opposition needs 172 votes to remove PM Khan along with his cabinet.
About 100 MPs from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) moved a no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government was in financial trouble. and was responsible for the rising inflation in the country.
In the 342-member National Assembly, Khan’s PTI needs at least 172 members to remain in government. As of now, it has 155 members in the House, and has the support of 23 members from at least six political parties. The opposition needs 172 votes to remove Khan.
Nearly two dozen disgruntled legislators of the ruling PTI have come out in open against Khan ahead of the vote, with the government accusing the opposition of horse-trading.