Pakistan News LIVE: Imran Khan loses trust vote, booted out as Pakistan Prime Minister

After a series of twists and turns and a midnight session, the Pakistan National Assembly passed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan in the wee hours of Sunday. The session conducted by Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, after former Speaker Asad Qaiser's resignation, urged those in favour of the motion to move to the lobby on the left side to cast their vote.

As per the speaker, 174 MNAs recorded their vote in favour of the motion and against Imran Khan in the assembly. The majority mark required in the 342-member assembly was 172. With this, the motion was passed. Read Full Story.

Pakistan Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif addresses the National Assembly as Imran Khan is ousted as PM after losing the no-trust vote.

"The darkest period in the history of Pakistan has come to an end. We bow our heads before The Almighty and pray for His guidance and success as we embark on a difficult journey of repairing the damage this man has caused to our homeland," Maryam Nawaz Sharif said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has lost the trust vote in the National Assembly (NA). The acting speaker said that 174 members recorded their votes and all were in favour of the resolution. Imran Khan has become the first Pakistan PM to lose the trust vote. 

Voting on No-trust Motion has concluded In National Assembly. Joint Opposition of Pakistan has claimed that 174 votes are in their favour. This is without PTI rebels, they said.

Pakistan Attorney General Khalid Javed Khan has resigned as Imran Khan is set to lose the no-trust motion.

The new Leader of the House, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, will be elected on April 11, according to Pakistani media.

Azam Khan, Principal Secretary to Pakistan Prime Minister, has been removed from office. He has been transferred to Establishment Division.

Voting on a no-confidence motion is underway in Pakistan's National Assembly. At present, there are 177 MNAs present in the Assembly who will cast their votes.

"Sad day for Pakistan….. return of looters a good man sent home," former Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Fawad Chaudhry as Imran Khan is set to lose the trust vote in the National Assembly.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shah Farman has announced his resignation as Imran Khan is set to lose the trust vote in the National Assembly.

A Petition has been filed in Islamabad High Court to add Imran Khan, SM Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhary and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri to Exit Control List (ECL) which will bar them from leaving Pakistan.

Imran Khan has left Prime Minister's House before the No Confidence Motion voting. He has moved to his Bani Gala residence.

PML- N's Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is chairing the ongoing session of the National Assembly of Pakistan after Speaker Asad Qaiser and Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri resign.

The voting on the no-confidence motion has started. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's Sardar Ayaz Sadiq is chairing the ongoing session of the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Speaker and Deputy Speaker of National Assembly expected to resign, according to Pakistani media.

Speaker will show "threat letter" to the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly (NA) Shahbaz Sharif if Shahbaz Sharif agrees.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters Saturday issued an alert link to all the airports link in the country that no government officer would leave the country without having the approved NOC link.

In a bid to tighten the noose against the opposition and corrupt bureaucrats link, the FIA link has issued a circular that no government officer will be allowed to leave the country except those carrying approved ex-Pakistan leave and No-Objection Certificate (NOC).

The FIA link has directed all airports link to implement the order in true and letter spirit.

It has been directed that if any bureaucrat tries to travel then he should not be given immigration and must be offloaded immediately.

The Supreme Court Bar Association has filed a contempt of court plea in aspect court as the National Assembly is yet to hold a no-trust vote against Imran Khan.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has reached National Assembly.

Pakistan Supreme Court is expected to remain open as the voting on the no-trust motion is yet to take place as per the apex court's directions.

The doors of the Islamabad High Court have been opened to execute Supreme Court's order on no-confidence voting. Judicial staff was also immediately summoned to the Islamabad High Court

Pakistan's opposition has written to the speaker about contempt of court over voting. The opposition has asked Speaker to conduct voting without any delay.

Pakistan Assembly is likely to vote on a no-confidence motion on Saturday. Prime Minister Imran Khan may attend the National Assembly.

Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, DG ISI General Nadeem Anjum, and other senior military officials have reached the Prime Minister's House to meet Imran Khan.

After a cabinet meeting, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan invited journalists and told them that he is not resigning. "No resignation, we are not running for Government but for a cause," Khan said.

Chopper lands at Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's residence as a cabinet meeting is underway, according to Pakistani media reports.

The cabinet meeting called by Prime Minister Imran Khan is underway. According to sources, Imran Khan and his cabinet resign after the meeting. Army's 111 brigade will take control of the PM House and presidency.

Imran Khan has demanded National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) to protect him from arrest, sources said. Team Imran wants an assurance that if the no-confidence motion succeeds and a new government is formed, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will not file cases against Imran Khan and the cabinet and they will not be arrested.

Imran plans action against the chief election commissioner for being unable to hold an election in 90 days post-dissolution of the assembly.

Imran Khan cabinet planning reference against Chief Election Commissioner Pakistan. Reference for his statement in Supreme Court wherein CEC Pakistan said he will need time till October (6-7 months) to hold elections

According to reports, Prime Minister Imran Khan is ready to step down with safety guarantees. He is also demanding protection from arrest.

After the National Assembly session resumed following the iftar break, PML(N) Khawaja Asif alleged Prime Minister Imran Khan is conspiring to impose martial law in the country.

The Pakistan National Assembly session has been adjourned once against and is expected to resume at 10 pm (IST).

Supreme Court to hear the matter on disqualification of rebel MNAs on April 12. Chief Justice Omar Ata Bandial will hear the case on Tuesday.

The speaker, according to sources, said that since he shares a 30-year relationship with the prime minister, he cannot allow the voting to take place. NA Secretariat sources say the session will likely continue till 12 am, while PM Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of the federal cabinet at 9 pm, Geo News reported.

According to opposition sources, the Speaker said that whether contempt of court is declared or disqualified, I am ready to suffer the consequences, whatever punishment I may be given, but I cannot betray Imran.

Advocate Asad Mehmood has moved to the election commission. He demanded the election commission to bar rebel PTI MNAs from voting.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of his cabinet ministers late on Saturday night, even though his government is expected to lose the no-confidence motion scheduled to take place later in the evening, according to local media reports.

Khan has summoned the Cabinet Meeting at 9.00 PM at the Prime Ministers' House here. Important decisions are expected in the meeting, Geo News reported quoting high-level sources.  

However, the meeting has taken many by surprise as the no-confidence vote is expected to be completed by around 8.00 PM and Khan has little chance of surviving it.  
 

The Pakistan National Assembly has been adjourned till 8 pm (IST). The voting on the no-confidence motion against embattled Pakistan PM Imran Khan is expected to take place after Iftar.

Pakistan's I&B Minister Choudhary Fawad Hussain changes his Twitter account bio to former I&B minister ahead of voting on a no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

Security has been beefed up in Islamabad ahead of the no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan. Army trucks are deployed outside the National Assembly. 

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called a Cabinet meeting at 9.30 PM IST. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has submitted a reference under Article 63A against Rebel PTI MNAs. Imran Khan's party has asked National Assembly Speaker to act against rebel MNAs

The National Assembly session will convene at 6 PM IST after Namaz Break. The voting on the no-confidence motion against embattled Pakistan PM Imran Khan is expected to take place after Iftar.

The much-awaited voting on the no-confidence motion against embattled Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to take place after Iftar, the meal eaten after sunset during Ramzan to break the day's fast, a lawmaker from the Opposition PML-N party said in Parliament on Saturday.

A crucial session of the National Assembly to decide the fate of Prime Minister Khan began on Saturday. Shortly afterwards, however, Speaker Asad Qaiser decided to adjourn the session when Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif took the floor on point of order and made a small speech reminding the Speaker that he was bound to go ahead as per the apex court's order.

Former Pakistan President and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari is addressing the Pakistan Assembly.

"Imran Khan has divided the entire country. It's time for us to unite it as one": Pakistan opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

"This isn't a fight between the PPP & PTI or any other parties. This fight is between democratic & anti-democratic forces": PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Pakistan's National Assembly

The court cannot interfere in the proceedings of Parliament: Amjad Niazi, Speaker in chair

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is addressing the Pakistan Assembly. He said that the Imran Khan government has lost credibility.

Imran Khan's PTI has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court order on April 7, seeking "review, recall and set aside the Impugned Order dated 07.04.2022."

PTI petition seeks that Supreme Court should review, recall and set aside the Impugned Order dated 07.04.2022. It is yet to be filed in Supreme Court as the staff had gone back home.

"Today might be my last day as Foreign Minister," Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said while addressing the National Assembly.

Imran Khan's aide Shah Mehmood Qureshi seeks in-camera proceedings and wants the Pakistan diplomat who wrote 'secret letter' to say if he stands by what he wrote (regarding the alleged foreign conspiracy).

The opposition and the government have agreed to hold the voting on the no-confidence motion at 8.30 pm (IST).

Before we leave (for Moscow), the NSA of the USA calls the NSA of Pakistan, and says 'Do not go'. Where does it happen, that one country stops another's bilateral visit?: Shah Mehmood Qureshi in Pakistan Assembly

The National Assembly session has resumed after a long break. Continuing his speech, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also alleged that the opposition has indulged in horsetrading. Moreover, he reiterated that there is an attempt to bring about a regime change in Pakistan. 

Pakistan PM Imran Khan met his legal team, as per sources. The government is considering options including challenging the decision of the Pakistan Supreme Court. As per sources, the PTI legal team has drafted a petition against the Supreme Court verdict. The points of the petition are being discussed with Imran Khan at his Bani Gala residence.

As per sources, the opposition still holding meetings and has demanded that the voting on the no-confidence motion must take place today. Meanwhile, sources indicated that Speaker Asad Qaiser has assured the opposition that the voting time will be announced once the session commences. 

Hitting out at the adjournment of the National Assembly session on the no-confidence motion, PML(N) vice president Maryam Nawaz remarked, "A maniac’s fear of having to face the music has brought the entire country to a grinding halt and a complete standstill. The country of 22 crore is without a government for weeks now. This blatant violation of constitution and disregard to SC orders will be ugly and end badly."

PML(N) MP Rana Sanaullah remarked, "According to the agenda, today is the day for voting and this is the seventh day. According to the rules, nothing else can be done on this day. The meeting has been postponed for some time due to the malice of the government. Despite the decision of the Supreme Court, the constitution and law have been violated". 

Sharing a video from the National Assembly, rebel PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan said, "I want to tell you all that we have come here". Borrowing Imran Khan's catchphrase 'Aapne Ghabrana Nahi Hai', he added, "You need not worry". 

As per sources, the opposition has demanded that voting on the no-confidence motion must be conducted today. PPP's Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Naveed Qamar and PML(N) MNA Ayaz Sadiq met Speaker Asad Qaiser in his chamber and tried to convince him about this. 

PMLQ moved the Lahore High Court complaining that MPAs are being kept in a hotel. Earlier, the Lahore HC adjourned the pleas of Hamza Shehbaz and Deputy Speaker Dost Muhammad Mazari seeking to immediately convene the Punjab Assembly session for the election of the CM till April 11. The Chief Justice issued notices to the parties on the petitions. 

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari reached the Speaker's Office in Parliament House. This came after the session was adjourned till 1 pm. 

Speaking exclusively to Republic TV, PTI spokesperson Abdul Samad Yaqoob claimed that voting on the no-confidence motion won't take place today. Maintaining that the Speaker has the discretionary power, he hinted that the voting might happen on Sunday or Monday. 

Speaking to the media, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri asserted that he had not given any ruling against the Constitution. Maintaining that there was a threat to the state, he contended that the Supreme Court would have endorsed his view had it seen the letter which purportedly talked about a foreign conspiracy to topple the PTI government. 

Amid ruckus in the House during Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi's intervention, Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned the House to 1 pm. 

Responding to Shehbaz Sharif's arguments, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi conceded that it is the right of the opposition to present the no-confidence motion. However, he expressed a desire to contest this legally and politically. 

Speaking in the National Assembly, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi reiterated that his party has accepted the Supreme Court's verdict. However, he defended Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's decision to reject the no-confidence motion on the grounds that a probe must be conducted into the foreign conspiracy angle. He also referred to the National Security Committee meeting to buttress his point. 

Addressing the National Assembly, PML(N) president and Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif requested Speaker Asad Qaiser to run the House as per the Supreme Court's directive. He told him to not follow the dictation of Imran Khan whom he described as the 'selected PM'. When the Speaker expressed an inclination to have a discussion on the foreign conspiracy, Sharif trained guns on Imran Khan and recalled the manner in which he tried to topple the Nawaz Sharif-led government in 2014. 

As per sources, only around 30 PTI MNAs are present in the National Assembly. Pakistan PM Imran Khan has not arrived yet. 

While the opposition has reached the National Assembly, Speaker Asad Qaiser or Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri is yet to arrive. Sources revealed that both of them are having a meeting in the chamber at present. Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated that he will present the position of Imran Khan and PTI in the National Assembly. 

As per sources, 176 Members of the National Assembly were present in the opposition meeting today. One other MNA had directly entered the Assembly chamber. 

As per Geo News, Federal Minister for Information and Law Fawad Chaudhry hinted that the voting on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan could shift to next week. He said, “We will not take much time, however, the foreign secretary will brief the house on threat letter before discussion on a vote of no trust". The report stated that PTI's members of the Parliament have been directed to hold "long debates during the NA session," so the voting can be "avoided due to a shortage of time". 

Reaching Parliament to witness the no-confidence motion, Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan said, "We are witnessing the victory of the representatives of the people. We are witnessing the victory of the supremacy of law and the Constitution". Taking a dig at the Pakistan PM for his praise for India's independent foreign policy, she quipped that he should be given a place in comedian Kapil Sharma's show. 

Key leaders including PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari. former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and rebel PTI MPs also reached the Parliament. Former Leader of Opposition Khurshid Shah told the media that the proceedings will be conducted as per the Constitution. Moreover, Abbasi warned, "Speaker will go to jail (if he doesn’t conduct voting)". 

Opposition MPs have started moving from the Parliament Lodges to the Parliament building ahead of the no-confidence motion. As per sources, Shehbaz Sharif will chair a meeting of the joint opposition where their strategy will be finalised. Speaking to the media, PML(N) MP Murtaza Javed Abbasi (PML-N) said, "We will go to the Supreme Court if they try to obstruct the no-confidence vote again". 

Imran Khan is the third premier to face no-confidence in Pakistan's history. Before him, former Prime Ministers Benazir Bhutto and Shaukat Aziz had faced similar motions, but they survived. Moreover, no PM in Pakistan has completed a full 5-year term in office. The country has had 18 Prime Ministers, excluding the caretaker PMs. Read the full list of Pakistan PMs and their tenure here. 

Islamabad's Red Zone has been sealed ahead of the no-confidence motion against Pakistan PM Imran Khan. Strict checking is taking place at the entry point of Islamabad. Personnel of Punjab Police, Islamabad Police and Rangers have been deputed here. As per sources, no one has been given permission to celebrate or hold a rally today. 

Warning Imran Khan, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, "If they try yet again to sabotage democratic constitutional process of vote of no confidence. It will be the second time the constitution is violated. So PM, president, speaker & deputy speaker will not only be liable to under article 6 twice but also contempt". 

Hitting out at Imran Khan for lauding India's independent foreign policy, PML(N) president and Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif said, "There is no limit to Niazi's lies, fabrications & lust for power. The nation knows his “respect” for parliament, constitution & court. Today’s speech is an insult to the sacrifices of our soldiers & praise for Modi's foreign policy is the biggest betrayal of Kashmiris' struggle!"

Coming down heavily on Pakistan PM Imran Khan ahead of the no-confidence motion, PML(N) vice president Maryam Nawaz reminded him of India's stellar example. She stated, "There were 27 no-confidence motions against the various prime ministers who were reciting the anthems of India. No one has played with the constitution, democracy and ethics. Vajpayee lost by one vote, went home - did not take the country, constitution and nation hostage like you (Imran Khan)"!

On March 8, a delegation of parliamentarians including PML(N)'s Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq and Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shazia Marri of PPP submitted the no-trust motion with the country's National Assembly secretariat. Reportedly, the document was signed by more than 100 lawmakers even as only 68 members, i.e 20% of the total House strength of 342 were required to sign the motion. Along with this, they also handed over a requisition for summoning the National Assembly as it was not in session. To topple the Imran Khan-led government, the opposition has to get at least 172 out of 342 votes. 

The opposition’s discontent stems from the 2018 General Election in Pakistan that was allegedly rigged before and on the counting day at the behest of the military establishment. For instance, just a few days before the election, former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz who were leading the campaign for civilian supremacy were sentenced by an Accountability court on charges of corruption. Moreover, polling agents of various parties were reportedly thrown out during the counting process, thus casting doubts on the legitimacy of Khan’s Tehreek-I-Insaf party.

Since then, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and other leaders have called Khan as ‘selected’, hinting at the role of the Pakistani military in rigging the election. The opposition parties have also been riled by the fact that Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau has been regularly arresting its leaders. Moreover, the Imran Khan-led government is facing a huge backlash from across the political spectrum over the surging inflation, increasing debt, purported misgovernance and mishandling of foreign policy which is reflected in the stalling of CPEC projects and US president Joe Biden's snub. 

Facing a tough test of survival in the no-confidence motion, Khan first talked about the 'foreign conspiracy' to dislodge his government. At his massive rally in Islamabad on March 27, he waved a letter as proof. On the occasion, he also hinted that former PM and PML(N) supremo Nawaz Sharif was a part of this plot and that he was holding secret meetings in London. After the opposition questioned the authenticity of his claims, Khan showed the 'secret letter' to his Cabinet members and allies and gave a gist of the same to select journalists on March 30.

The letter referred to by Imran Khan was a diplomatic cable sent by former Pakistan's envoy to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, to Islamabad on March 7. The latter, who has been replaced by Ambassador Masood Khan, shared details about his meeting with US diplomat Donald Lu. He reportedly contended that the decision to visit Russia on the eve of the invasion was Imran Khan's call and not that of the military establishment. The letter also quoted him as saying, "A vote of confidence is coming and if that succeeds all mistakes of Pakistan will be forgiven, otherwise, Pakistan has to face dire consequences". 

Pakistan plunged into a constitutional crisis on April 3 as National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan without voting. The PTI-led government was facing an imminent defeat with the opposition garnering the support of more than 172 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs) even without taking into consideration the rebel PTI parliamentarians. In his detailed ruling, Suri claimed that the no-confidence motion is linked to the efforts of a foreign country to bring about a change of government in Pakistan.

In a televised address immediately after the rejection of the no-trust motion, Imran Khan revealed that he had advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly to pave way for fresh elections. Subsequently, Alvi accepted this recommendation and asked Imran Khan to continue in office until a caretaker PM is appointed. However, the Pakistan Supreme Court took cognizance of this matter, issued notice and made it clear that the steps taken by Khan, Alvi and Suri would be subject to the court’s final verdict. 

On April 7, a 5-judge bench of the SC unanimously held that Suri's decision to disallow the no-trust motion was unconstitutional and restored the National Assembly. Moreover, it directed Speaker Asad Qaiser to convene the session for the vote of no-confidence latest by 10.30 am on Saturday. Plugging every possible loophole, it also specified that the session cannot be adjourned until the election for the new Prime Minister is conducted in the scenario that the opposition wins the no-trust motion. 

In what was possibly his last address to the nation as the Pakistan PM, Imran Khan affirmed that he will never accept an "imported government" led by the opposition. "I am upset with the Supreme Court's decision. I was upset because when the Deputy Speaker conducted the probe, the Supreme Court should have investigated it...Horse trading of leaders is going on openly. The court should have at least taken sou moto action," Khan opined, adding that he accepts the SC verdict. 

On this occasion, he contended that Pakistan has become a joke and a banana republic, Khan said, "Buying and selling (of lawmakers) is happening openly, no one is serious.. this makes me sad. Never seen horse-trading in western democracy". Praising India, he added, "India has an independent foreign policy. No superpower dares to conspire against India. No one can dictate them". Moreover, he called for massive protests across the country on Sunday evening.