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3 years ago

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing the no-trust motion at the weekend after the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that parliament had been illegally dissolved.

Khan's coalition lost its majority in the national assembly last week, but he avoided being dismissed when the deputy speaker blocked a no-confidence motion against him and the president dissolved parliament and ordered fresh elections.

"All actions taken are of no legal effect and quashed," the Supreme Court said after hearing four days of argument on the matter.

"The national assembly continues to remain in session," it added, with officials saying it would sit again Saturday.

The court's judgement was broader than expected after the chief justice said earlier this week they would only rule on the legality of the no-confidence motion being blocked.

The decision -- which the court said was unanimous -- was met with jubilation by opposition supporters in the capital, with packed cars racing through the streets, sounding their horns.

Here are the Highlights on Pakistan Crisis:

Pakistani opposition leader says he is allies' candidate for the next PM
Pakistani opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said his allies have nominated him as the next prime minister if they are able to vote out Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday.

Sharif was addressing a joint press conference along with other opposition leaders who won a court case earlier on Thursday that overturned a move by Khan to dodge the ouster vote and dissolve the lower house of parliament.
Court says deputy speaker's ruling illegal
A larger bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan declares the deputy speaker's ruling unconstitutional in a unanimous judgment. The court sets aside the ruling and the steps taken after it including the dissolution of the National Assembly: Pakistan's Samaa News
General elections not possible before October this year, says Pakistan Election Commission
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has said that general elections are not possible before October this year as it needs seven months to ensure "free, fair, and transparent polls" in the country, local media reported.

According to ECP Spokesperson, the commission, in its letter to Pakistan Arif Alvi, has contended that it requires four months to complete the delimitation in addition to organising general elections in 90 days, Radio Pakistan reported.

The ECP stated that keeping these reasons in view, elections are only possible in October this year.

ECP had said on Tuesday that it was prepared to hold general elections within three months, rejecting the reports which claimed that holding the electoral exercise was not possible in 90 days.
Can't hold poll in 90 days: Pak poll panel
The Pakistan poll panel has said it can't hold polls in 90 days.

As the time of the verdict inches closer, the security has been tightened outside Pakistan Supreme Court. When asked about the possible court verdict, the lawyers outside the court said that nothing can be commented on as the matter is Sub Judice in the court. One of the lawyers said that the supreme court will give its decision by interpreting Article 5 adding that the decision by the top court will be in favour of the nation.
No comment: India on political turmoil in Pakistan
India on Thursday declined to comment on the political turmoil in Pakistan saying it is an "internal matter" of that country but noted that it is keeping an eye on the developments in Islamabad.

"It is their internal matter. I do not have any comment to make on this. We are keeping an eye on it but we do not comment on internal matters (of any country)," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

At a media briefing, he was asked to comment on the political developments in Islamabad.
The court has said the deputy speaker's ruling over the no-trust motion was wrong, according to Geo News. The court to announce the verdict on the matter soon.

Pakistan Supreme Court has summoned chief election commissioner

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