PM Imran Khan clinches vote of confidence after Senate embarrassment

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday secured the vote of confidence from the National Assembly after he got 178 votes from the lawmakers.

PM Imran had sought the trust vote after the shocking defeat of PTI candidate for the Senate seat on March 3.

The Opposition parties have boycotted the session asking the government to resign immediately as it has lost the trust of the house.

The resolution reposing confidence in the prime minister was passed with 178 votes.

In his ruling, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser said consequently the prime minister has obtained the vote of confidence and commands the majority of the Lower House.

The speaker announced the results amidst the thumping of desks and slogans by the members of PTI and its allied parties as well as the party supporters present in the lobbies.

On the occasion, the speaker pointed out that the PM had secured 176 votes when he was elected as leader of the House in 2018.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has moved a resolution pertaining to vote of confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Earlier, while talking to the media, the federal ministers said that the premier will get the majority vote as all the PTI members are present in the NA.. 

Mohsin Dawar was the only Opposition lawmaker present in the assembly. He removed the banners placed by the government members on the benches. 

This is the first time that a prime minister has gone for a vote of confidence after the passage of the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The Resolution:

“That this House reposes confidence in the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, as required under clause (7) of Article 91 of the Constitution Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, thousands of enthusiastic PTI supporters gathered at the D-Chowk – the Parliament Square that got fame after the 126-day sit-in against the PML-N government, to express solidarity with their leader.

Allies assure PM of full support

Speaking on the floor of the house, MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui reminded the premier of his promises made with the party and said the allies stood by you and now its time that their recommendations are also reflected in the decisions made by the government.

"Change should not only be your slogan but your intention as well," he said.

Siddiqui assured the prime minister of his party's complete support for his agenda of change. "Let's move towards a welfare state from a security state."

Dr Fehmida Mirza of the Grand Democratic Alliance congratulated the prime minister for winning the vote of confidence.

She said the allied parties from all the four provinces have once again reposed their confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. She emphasized the need for electoral, judicial and FBR reforms.

Minister for Interior, Sheikh Rashid, commended the efforts made by the prime minister to stabilize the economy and steer it out of the crisis.

He said it is because of the robust foreign policy of the government that important countries are standing by Pakistan.