Imran Khan loses majority, looks set to step down as Pakistan PM

Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday effectively lost majority in Parliament after a key partner of the ruling coalition joined the ranks of the Opposition, which has tabled a no-confidence motion against his government in the National Assembly.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), a key ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led coalition government, with its seven members, announced that it has parted ways with the government during a joint press conference of the opposition parties here. Khan needs 172 votes in the lower house of 342 to foil the Oppositions bid to topple him.

However, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, chief of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islama Fazl (JUI-F), said that the Opposition has the support of 175 lawmakers and the Prime Minister should resign. It was also announced that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif would be the next prime minister of the country after the removal of the 69-year-old Khan.

Politics of tolerance

“We want to make a new beginning for politics of tolerance and true democracy,” MQM-P chief Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told reporters. “I announce to support the opposition in the parliament.”

Sharif said that it was an important day as all opposition parties have joined together to address the problems faced by Pakistan. “The premier, even if he is a selected one, should resign to set a new tradition,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said the support by MQM was a big development and with this the prime minister has lost the majority. “The prime minister has no option and he will have to resign,” he said. Bilawal also said that Sharif will soon be elected as the next prime minister.

Another ally of the ruling coalition, the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) with five members in the lower house had announced on Monday that it had “accepted the oppositions invitation” to vote against Khan.

Khan to address nation

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said that Prime Minister Khan will address the nation on Wednesday evening and discuss the prevailing political situation. Briefly talking to the media after a special session of cabinet, which was chaired by the premier, Rashid said Khan also shared a “threatening letter” with the cabinet colleagues, who in return expressed complete trust in him.

With inputs from agencies