Islamabad:Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that he has advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly (parliament) and call for fresh elections.
In a brief address to the nation, Khan said he has advised President Alvi to dissolve the ‘assemblies’.
Minutes before his announcement, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri on Sunday rejected the no-confidence motion against Khan, calling it against Article 5 of the Constitution.
Suri presided over a crucial session of parliament after the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against Speaker Asad Qaiser.
When the members of the opposition reached the house, they appeared confident about the no-confidence motion, but after the motion was rejected, they opposed the decision. The opposition needs the support of 172 out of 342 members to oust Khan from the government, which he claims has the support of 177 members.
Khan came to power in 2018 with a promise to create a ‘Naya Pakistan’ and is now at a critical juncture in his political career as his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has lost majority. Two of his allies also withdrew support to the government and joined hands with the opposition camp.