PM Imran Khan meets important personality amid impasse over no-confidence

By
Reuters
|
Web Desk
|
Prime Minister Imran Khan delivers a televised address to the nation, on November 3, 2021. — PID
Prime Minister Imran Khan delivers a televised address to the nation, on November 3, 2021. — PID

  • Meeting comes hours after NA was abruptly adjourned.
  • Voting on the no-trust motion is yet to take place.
  • PM has said there is a "foreign conspiracy" against him.


Prime Minister Imran Khan met an important personality today amid an impasse over a parliamentary vote to oust the premier, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The meeting comes hours after parliament was abruptly adjourned before the vote that the prime minister was widely expected to lose.

National Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri blocked a no-confidence motion last week clearing the way for the dissolution of the lower house of parliament, but the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered that the vote be held by Saturday.

It is yet to happen, despite nearly 12 hours passing since the session started on Saturday.

Members of PM Imran Khan's party had suggested on Friday they would try to delay the vote for as long as possible. They have said there is a foreign conspiracy to oust him.

The cricket star turned politician has vowed to "struggle" against any move to replace him. 

Before Saturday's session was adjourned, opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, expected to become prime minister if Imran Khan is ousted, urged lower house Speaker Asad Qaiser to ensure the vote was carried out as a matter of priority.

The speaker said he would implement the court order "in true letter and spirit".

PM Imran Khan, 69, surged to power in 2018, but recently lost his parliamentary majority when allies quit his coalition government.

Opposition parties say he has failed to revive an economy battered by COVID-19 or fulfil promises to make Pakistan a corruption-free, prosperous nation respected on the world stage.