Imran Khan’s Dismissal
Pakistan has had an unstable government from its birth. It has cycled through corrupt politicians interested in maintaining power and securing their interests. Pakistan has seen Democracy with the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz). Simultaneously it has seen phases of military rule – be it General Mohammad Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul Haq or General Pervez Musharraf. Yet not one of them could complete a full 5-year term in power in the National Assembly – the lower house of Parliament. But people thought things would be different with Imran Khan.
Imran Khan was elected prime minister in 2018 and seemed to have almost everything in his favour. A national hero from his cricketing days, he had transformed into a charismatic politician and emerged as a fresh force. His party, the PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) even won 149 seats in the National Assembly, forming a coalition with the MQM-P, the PML-Q, and the BAP, coming to power with the full support of Pakistan's army. Moreover, his chief opponent, Nawaz Sharif, was convicted on corruption charges before the last elections.
Initially, Imran Khan had made some impressive expansions to the social welfare system. But later, he faltered in other areas which led to his eventual downfall. He appointed an inexperienced political newcomer as the chief minister of Punjab - the country's most populous province. Then he started losing military support, with the rift that began between Gen Bajwa and Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. And finally, his opponents as well as the public became increasingly vocal in their opposition to his rule – he did nothing to change the narrative. He just alleged that he is the victim of a US-led attempt to affect the "regime change" in Pakistan.
By the end of 2021, the main opposition parties like the PPP started cajoling Pakistan Muslim League (N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to move a no-trust motion against then Prime Minister Imran Khan. Sharif of PML(N) tabled a no-confidence resolution against PM Imran Khan on 28th March. But Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion, terming it unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court restored the National Assembly on April 7th and ordered NA Speaker Asad Qaiser to call an assembly session. On 10 April, the no-confidence motion passed with a majority of 174 votes (out of 342) in the National Assembly, which resulted in Khan losing the confidence of the house and ceasing to hold the office of Prime Minister. Thus, Khan became the first prime minister to lose a no-confidence vote in Pakistan.
With Imran Khan's departure as Pakistan's PM, the stage is clear for Pakistan Muslim League (N)’s Shehbaz Sharif to be the country's next prime minister.