Pakistan dissolves parliament as Imran Khan gets reprieve from no-confidence motion
- Khan has been facing the biggest challenge to his rule since being elected in 2018, with opponents accusing him of economic mismanagement and bungling foreign policy
- The opposition vowed to fight the block against the no-confidence motion, made by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri of Khan’s political party
Pakistan’s president on Sunday dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, foiling an attempt by the opposition to boot Khan from office.
“The President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi, has approved the advice of the Prime Minister,” a statement from his office said, meaning fresh elections must be held within 90 days.
Khan called for a fresh election minutes after the national assembly deputy speaker declined to hear a no-confidence motion into his rule.
In an address on state TV, Khan said there had been unacceptable interference in Pakistan’s democratic institutions, and an interim government should be formed to hold fresh elections.
“I have sent advice to the president to dissolve the assemblies … We will go to the public and hold elections and let the nation decide,” he said.
“When the advice reaches the president, assemblies will be dissolved which will be followed by the process of setting up a caretaker government,” he added.