Imran Wins Trust Vote Amid Oppn Boycott

Opposition Leaders Dismiss Voting As Sham, Seek PM’s Resignation And Fresh Polls

- Omer Farooq Khan

Islamabad: Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Saturday comfortably won a trust vote in the National Assembly by securing 178 votes, six more than the required number, to ensure his tenure in the office following a big setback in the recent Senate polls. His victory was a foregone conclusion after the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), an anti-government alliance of opposition parties, decided to boycott the session and the government warned its party members of disqualification if they voted against Khan.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government had no option other than seeking a trust vote after its candidate for the senate seat from Islamabad, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, lost to former PM and opposition’s candidate Yousaf Raza Gilani.

The total strength of the National Assembly is 342. The opposition enjoys the support of 160 members, while the government and its allies have 180 lawmakers. Two seats are currently vacant. Khan needed 172 votes to win the confidence vote. Announcing the result, speaker Asad Qaiser said: “Today, PM Imran Khan has secured 178 votes.”