No-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been dismissed by the deputy speaker of the National Assembly today.
Addressing the nation, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, calling for fresh elections said, “The people should decide what they want, not foreigners. Buying people through money has resulted in this. Put that money in something better. I implore the nation to prepare for elections. You will decide the future of this nation, not the corrupt or the foreigners.”
The Pak prime minister will need 172 votes in the lower house of 342 to be able to retain his government. It remains to be seen how many votes Imran Khan gets in support of his government, especially with the opposition claiming to have the support of 175 lawmakers.
Khan has urged the country’s youth to stage “peaceful protests” against a “foreign conspiracy” allegedly hatched against his government. He told them that he has “more than one plan” for Sunday’s crucial vote on the no-confidence motion.
Ahead of the trust vote, thousands of security personnel have been deployed in Islamabad amid fears of violence and clashes. The security has been ramped up in Islamabad and authorities have imposed Section 144 and banned pillion riding in Pakistan’s capital.
(With inputs from agencies)
