Govt bounces back after Senate shock as PM wins trust vote
178 MPs vote in Imran Khan’s favour; allies renew vow to stand by govt through thick and thin
Prime Minister Imran Khan in NA. PHOTO: RP
ISLAMABAD:
The lower house of parliament reaffirmed its confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday by overwhelmingly voting in his favour in a move that political pundits believe has preempted the next move of an increasingly hostile joint opposition which wanted to use its recent Senate win to ratchet up pressure on the embattled government to step down.
Imran Khan polled 178 votes – six more than the magical number of 172 – in a National Assembly session specifically convened for the purpose by the president but boycotted by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the alliance of a dozen opposition parties.
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ISLAMABAD: Of the 179 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led ruling coalition, 175 on Friday gave assurance to Prime Minister Imran Khan that they will give him vote of confidence during a special session of the lower house of parliament on Saturday (today).
Prime Minister Khan chaired a meeting of parliamentary parties at the Prime Minister House (PMH) in which all MNAs of the ruling alliance were asked to vote for the prime minister otherwise they can be de-seated.
Prime Minister Imran Khan addressing the National Assembly after securing a trust vote during a special session. DawnNewsTV
In a show of strength, Prime Minister Imran Khan secured 178 votes – six more than required – on Saturday to win the vote of confidence from the National Assembly.
The special session was called after the premier voluntarily sought a trust vote following an upset in Senate elections. Addressing the assembly after his win in a wide-ranging speech, the premier said no one can stop Pakistan s progress .
He also announced electoral reforms, saying: We are doing things; we are fully engaged with overseas Pakistanis so they can cast votes, and secondly, we are bringing electronic machines.