Pakistan Prime Minister's No-Confidence Vote Fails Just Before Balloting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Imran Khan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is facing the risk of stepping down due to a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly, is attempting to dissolve the parliament and cancel the vote.

According to Pakistani media on the 3rd (local time), the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Khan scheduled for that day was canceled just before the vote.

Qasim Khan Suri, Deputy Speaker of the Federal Assembly, claimed that the no-confidence vote request was unconstitutional and refused to hold the vote, asserting that state forces were interfering in the democratic process.

Prime Minister Khan demanded the president dissolve the parliament to hold early general elections. In a TV address that day, he said, "We need to prepare for a new election."

The opposition reacted by announcing they would file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court after the no-confidence vote was canceled. Previously, the opposition had demanded the no-confidence vote, criticizing Khan's failures in economic and foreign affairs.

Khan, known for his strong pro-China stance, raised a "U.S. conspiracy theory" and sought to turn the situation around. The day before, he claimed, "The attempt to oust me is blatant interference in internal affairs by the United States."

Pakistan is suffering from a severe economic crisis, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, while struggling with debt due to projects such as the China-led Belt and Road Initiative.