The Pakistan Supreme Court today declared the dismissal of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s no-confidence motion “unconstitutional.” The national legislature has been reformed, according to the court, and the Speaker has been instructed to call a session. A review petition has also been dismissed by the court. The vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan has been rescheduled for Saturday, NDTV reported.
If Mr Khan loses, he will become the first Prime Minister to face a no-confidence vote. Two earlier Prime Ministers who had been the subject of a no-confidence motion had resigned before the vote, but Mr Khan had refused, declaring that he would “play till the final ball.”
The no-trust resolution against Imran Khan’s government was dismissed by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri on Sunday, who said it was against Pakistan’s Constitution and rules.
Mr Khan called for new elections minutes later and advised the President to dissolve the Assembly. Within 90 days, a new election would be held.
The Speaker’s decision was challenged at the Supreme Court by the Opposition parties, who called it “unconstitutional.”
The National Assembly cannot be dissolved under Article 58 of Pakistan’s Constitution if there is a no-confidence resolution against the administration.
However, Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry, regarded as Imran Khan’s right-hand man, told NDTV that the no-confidence vote was dismissed before the Prime Minister advised dissolving the assembly to the President and announcing elections.
“It was within Mr Khan’s rights to advise the President for dissolution (of the assembly),” he continued.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), tweeted after the Supreme Court’s judgement today, “Democracy is the most effective form of retaliation! Jiya Bhutto, Jiya Bhutto, Jiya Bhutto, Awam Jiya! Zindabad, Pakistan! “
When a crucial coalition partner stated its seven legislators would vote with the opposition, Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party effectively lost majority in the 342-member house last week. More than a dozen members of the ruling party have already signalled that they will vote against the bill.
Mr Khan had claimed that the US had orchestrated a “conspiracy” against his government. He said that the opposition was working with Washington to depose him because he refused to support the US and Europe in global conflicts with Russia and China. His party claimed that lawmakers who were considering switching sides had been bribed.
The Chenab Times News Desk
