Imran Khan, Pakistan's Prime Minister, faces a no-confidence motion today (File)
The crucial session of the Pakistan National Assembly starts today, in which a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan will be moved. According to the National Assembly Secretariat, the house met at 11 am, with Speaker Asad Qaiser in the chair. A 15-point agenda today's session issued by the Secretariat on Thursday night also includes the no-confidence motion. Acting on mutual efforts to oust Mr Khan, the opposition parties submitted the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly on March 8. In the 342-member National Assembly, the Imran Khan government needs at least 172 members to sail through the no-confidence vote.
Here are the highlights of Pakistan's no-confidence vote:
Pak parliament adjourned till Monday
Speaker adjourns parliament until Monday for no-trust motion against Imran Khan.
Opposition finalises strategy ahead of no-confidence voteThe opposition parties in Pakistan have finalised their strategy for not allowing any adjournment of the session without tabling of the motion, as the National Assembly is all set to convene today morning to discuss the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
Opposition seals deal with key Imran Khan ally ahead of no-trust voteAhead of the National Assembly session on no-confidence motion against the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, Bilawal Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Thursday announced that matters had been settled with key government ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and that the ruling coalition member will vote in favour of the motion to oust Imran Khan, local media reported.
How numbers are stacked
Imran Khan's PTI has 155 members in the 342-member National Assembly and needs at least 172 lawmakers on its side to remain in the government. On Thursday, Mr Khan invited the nation to participate in the ruling party's March 27 power show at Islamabad's Parade Ground, calling on the people to join him in "standing against evil".
No Pakistani Prime Minister has completed full 5-year term in office
Imran Khan, 69, is heading a coalition government and he can be removed if some of the partners decide to switch sides. He is facing a rebellion by his about two dozen lawmakers and allied parties which are also reluctant to pledge support to him. No Pakistani Prime Minister has ever completed a full five-year term in office.
Root cause of Pakistan no-confidence motion
Pakistan has been on the edge since opposition parties on March 8 submitted a no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat, alleging that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan was responsible for the economic crisis and the spiralling inflation in the country.
What Pakistan's Chief Justice said on no-confidence motionPakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has said that discarding lawmakers' vote during the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan would be "insulting" and a member of the National Assembly cannot be barred from voting.
Won't resign, says Imran KhanPakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he wouldn't resign, rejecting opposition calls to step down ahead of a no-confidence move against him in his toughest challenge since coming to power in 2018.
Imran Khan addresses nation before no-confidence motion