On Sunday, a no-confidence motion in Parliament was prevented by the deputy speaker, preventing Imran Khan from being removed as Pakistan’s prime minister.
Khan, who is facing the most difficult task of his political career, has demanded that the president of the country dismiss Parliament and that the country prepare for a new election.
Khan was expected to lose the no-confidence vote, which was supported by a coalition of legislators, including more than a dozen defections from Khan’s own party. The vote was vetoed as “unconstitutional” by the deputy speaker, providing a stunning reprieve for the ailing leader.
Khan has been fighting diminishing foreign exchange reserves and double-digit inflation for months, as the cost of basic commodities like food and fuel has risen dramatically.
Following the vote, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry stated that Khan will now carry out his duties under Article 224 of the Pakistani constitution. However, because there is no precedent for Sunday’s chain of events, it is unknown what will happen next.
One of the opposition’s leaders, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, branded Khan’s decision “unconstitutional,” and said the subject would be taken up by the Supreme Court.
Since Khan came to power in 2018 after a tumultuous election marred by allegations of vote manipulation and foul play, Pakistan’s main opposition parties have been campaigning for his removal.
As public dissatisfaction with Khan’s leadership mounted, the opposition submitted a resolution in Parliament calling for a no-confidence vote, accusing him of mismanaging the economy and foreign policy.
They had pushed Khan to step down before the election. Khan replied by branding them “traitors” and emphasizing his desire to defeat the election.
Khan’s coalition government had broken down due to his apparent failure to work in unison with his partners and the country’s formidable military.
Defecting MPs had already been urged to return to Khan’s party, with the promise that they would be forgiven “as a father forgives his children.” He threatened those who voted against him with social humiliation, claiming that no one would marry their children.
Khan had called on his supporters in the 220 million-strong country to protest the intended referendum in the capital, Islamabad, on Sunday. The city’s security has been beefed up, with police monitoring the streets. The city’s red zone, which contains government and military buildings, is surrounded by shipping containers.
Thousands of people gathered at the city’s iconic Parade Ground last week to sing slogans in support of Khan, a former international cricketer turned politician.
Since the country’s founding in 1947, no Pakistani prime minister has served a full five-year term. Khan’s decision to hold an early election has sparked fears that the country could be thrown into even more political turmoil.