Imran Khan’s key ally, MQM, pulls out of govt ahead of trust vote

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan suffered a major blow on Wednesday (March 30) when his key ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM), joined hands with the opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the chairman of PPP, sent a tweet to confirm the new alliance, which has left the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government gasping for breath as it faces a trust vote in the Parliament on April 3.

“The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM and PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan,” tweeted Zardari. MQM leader Faisal Subzwari too confirmed the development.

With MQM pulling out, PM Khan has lost the majority in the lower house of Pakistan’s Parliament. The opposition now has 177 members in the national assembly against the Tehreek-e-Insaf government which has 164. To succeed in toppling the Imran Khan government, the opposition needs 172 votes.

Also read: Pak Opposition vows to bring down Imran Khan’s government

Earlier, Imran Khan had said that foreign powers are behind the “plot” to unseat him as the Prime Minister. One of his ministers, Asad Umar, said the government has proof to back his claim which it will submit to the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Opposition parties have vowed to bring down the beleaguered government of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is facing his toughest political test since assuming office in 2018.

“I challenge you to have 172 MNAs with you on the voting day on the no-trust motion,” said Pakistan Muslim League (N) (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz at the rally in Islamabad the other day.

Maryam also accused PM Khan of putting down his most trusted Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, to save his seat after the government decided to replace him with Chaudhry Pervez Elahi to win the support of his Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid party.