Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan bowled a yorker at his rivals on Sunday by getting the presidential nod for the dissolution of Parliament, a move dubbed as “unconstitutional” by the Opposition parties which approached the apex court to challenge the decision.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan, which had taken a suo motu notice of the situation the country, adjourned the hearing on the Opposition’s plea over the dissolution of the National Assembly till April 4, Monday. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked all the political parties to maintain law and order situation.
The chief justice said that all orders and actions initiated by the prime minister and the president regarding the dissolution of the National will be subject to the court’s order.
In a surprise move, the no-trust vote against the 69-year-old cricketer-turned-politician was dismissed as "unconstitutional" by Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, leading to vociferous protests by the Opposition.
Mr. Khan congratulated the nation for the no-trust motion being dismissed, saying the deputy speaker had "rejected the attempt of changing the regime (and) the foreign conspiracy".
The stunned Opposition termed the entire process to reject the no-confidence motion against the prime minister and dissolution of Assembly against the Constitution and its lawmakers refused to leave the premises of the parliament house which was protected by security personnel.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army has denied its role in the prevailing political situation. “The army has absolutely nothing to do with what happened in the National Assembly today,” said Military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar.
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Here are the live updates:
All orders and actions initiated by PM, president subject to court order: Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial
Pakistan’s Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said on Sunday that all orders and actions initiated by the prime minister and the president regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly will be subject to the court’s order as he adjourned for one day the hearing of the high-profile case.
Earlier on Sunday, the chief justice took notice of the situation and a three member bench held the initial hearing despite the weekend and issued notices to all the respondents, including President Alvi and deputy Speaker of the NA.
PTI
PM Imran Khan to remain in power for next 15 days, says Sheikh Rasheed
Imran Khan will remain in power for another 15 days, former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed said on Sunday, hours after the former cricketer-turned-politician, in a controversial move, got the National Assembly dissolved.
“I met the Prime Minister and I think Imran Khan will remain the PM for 15 more days,” said Rasheed, adding that he was constantly saying that elections were the right way forward amidst the political turmoil.
PTI
Army has no role, says Major General Babar Iftikhar
The Pakistan Army has denied its role in the events that led to the dissolution of the country’s National Assembly on Sunday. Military spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar made the remarks while speaking to a private TV channel in the wake of rejection of a no-confidence motion and subsequent dissolution of the Assembly by President Arif Alvi on advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Supreme Court adjourns hearing till April 4
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued notice to the Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan and directed all the political parties to maintain law and order situation. The hearing of the three-member bench of the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, has been adjourned till Monday.
Supreme Court forms three-member bench
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandyal started hearing the petitions filed against the ruling of Deputy Speaker in which he turned down the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan.
‘Imran Khan must be tried under Article 6 for high treason,’ says Nawaz Sharif
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday demanded Article 6 and high treason case against Imran Khan and his associates for violating the Consititution of Pakistan.
"Today, a man obsessed with power trampled on the Constitution. Imran Khan, who puts his ego before the country, and all the leaders involved in this conspiracy are guilty of serious treason to which Article 6 applies. Abuse of Pakistan and desecration of the Constitution will be taken into account," Mr. Sharif tweeted.
Speaker’s decision is final, says PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Fawad Chaudhry said the ruling given in the National Assembly for the rejection of no-trust motion is "final" and could not challenged in any court.
Opposition still trying to make sense of what happened today: Imran Khan
"Once the nation's highest security body confirms foreign conspiracy for regime change in Pakistan, everything else becomes irrelevant," Geo News quoted Imran Khan as saying after he skipped the Assembly session on Sunday.
RECAP: ‘Black day for Pakistan’, says Leader of Opposition Shebaz Sharif
"This day will be remembered as a black day in Pakistan's constitutional history," said Shehbaz Sharif, tipped to replace Mr. Khan if the no-confidence motion had succeeded.
The Opposition said they would petition the courts with a slew of briefs, arguing the constitution had been violated.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial reaches Supreme Court
The Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, has reached the Supreme Court to review petitions filed by Opposition leaders against the dissolution of National Assembly, reported Geo News.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court takes suo motu notice of dissolution of National Assembly
Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial has taken suo-motu notice of the dissolution of the National Assembly by President Arif Alvi following the dismissal of no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan’s Dawn reported.
Fresh elections in Pakistan within 90 days
Pakistan Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib on Sunday said that fresh elections will be held in the country within 90 days. "Prepare for the election!" said Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday.
Earlier today President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Mr. Khan after the leader of the ruling party advised him to call for fresh polls, reported Dawn.
Chief Justice of Pakistan takes notice of the petition involving today’s parliamentary proceedings - Geo News
Director General of Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations of Pakistan denies army’s involvement with today’s proceedings in Pakistan
In response to a question by Geo TV on army’s involvement with today’s proceedings in the country, Director General of Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations said, “Absolutely not.”
They all must be tried under article 6: Nawaz Sharif’s daughter
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif tweeted Imran Khan and his cabinet must be tried under article 6 of the Pakistani constitution. On Saturday, Ms Khan had stated that the Prime Minister’s action were only adding to his dossier and charge sheet against him.
Imran Khan has pushed the country into anarchy: Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif
Leader of the Pakistani National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif stated the dissolving of the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan was “nothing short of treason”. He added that Mr Khan has pushed the country into anarchy.
Pakistan President Arif Alvi dissolves National Assembly on advice of PM Imran Khan
Pakistan President Arif Alvi on Sunday dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Prime MInister Imran Khan, minutes after the embattled leader of the ruling party advised him to call for fresh eletions.
Khan congratulated the nation for the no-trust motion being dismissed, saying the deputy speaker had “rejected the attempt of changing the regime (and) the foreign conspiracy”. - PTI
Govt has violated constitution: Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted that the Imran Khan Govt violated the constitution by not allowing the no confidence motion. He informed that his lawyers would challenge the action in the Supreme Court.
“We call on to ALL institutions to protect, uphold, defend and implement the constitution of Pakistan,” his tweet read.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto moves a notice of resolution seeking removal of the Speaker Asad Qaisar
Section 144 imposed in Islamabad
To avert any untoward incident on the decisive day, the district administration had imposed Section 144 and completely banned pillion riding in the Pakistani capital on Sunday.
As per a notification issued by Islamabad’s district magistrate prohibits ‘all kinds of gatherings of 5 or more people, processions/rallies and demonstrations inside the Red Zone.
Imran Khan advises to dissolve National Assembly
In a surprise move, Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that he has advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve the National Assembly and call for fresh elections.
In a brief address to the nation, Mr. Khan said he has advised President Alvi to dissolve assemblies.
His announcement came minutes after National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Sur dismissed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Khan, terming it a contradiction of Article 5 of the Constitution.— PTI
Pakistan Parliament shoots down no-confidence motion
Pakistan’s parliament on April 3 refused to accept a motion to debate the future of Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying “foreign powers” were interfering in the country’s democratic process.
“This no-confidence motion is against the constitution. I rule out this no-confidence motion in accordance with the constitution,” Deputy Speaker Asad Qaiser said as the session started. — PTI
Pakistan PM calls for street protests ahead of no-confidence vote
Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party, carry signs as they chant slogans accusing the U.S. of plotting to overthrow Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, during a protest in Islamabad, Pakistan on April 2, 2022. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called on his supporters to take to the streets Sunday ahead of a parliamentary no-confidence vote that could see him thrown out of office.
Parliament is due to debate the motion Sunday — with a vote possibly the same day — but Mr. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) effectively lost its majority in the 342-member assembly last week when a coalition partner said its seven lawmakers would vote with the opposition.
Imran Khan says 'establishment' gave him 3 choices: resignation, no-trust vote or polls
Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the “establishment” had given him three options: "resignation, no-confidence (vote) or elections" after the Opposition filed a no-trust motion against him in Parliament.
Mr. Khan, however, did not elaborate what he meant by “establishment”.
The powerful Pakistan Army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 73-plus years of existence, has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy.
