In fast-paced dramatic set of events, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan narrowly avoided the ouster after the Pakistan National Assembly rejected the no-trust vote against his government. The latest reports from Islamabad say that acting on the PM’s advice, Pakistani President Arif Alvi has dissolved the National Assembly. This means that Pakistan will see general elections in next 90 days.

Since the formation of Pakistan in 1947, no government in Islamabad has ever completed the full tenure of five years. Imran Khan came to power in 2018 riding high on the ‘Naya Pakistan’ wave. He had promised to curb inflation and create jobs for people in Pakistan. But over the years, Khan has failed to do so. Many also say that while civilian leaders and other players in this power game are being seen fighting for the ‘democratic’ values, the generals sitting in Rawalpindi may have the final say.

However, the Pakistan Army has distanced itself from the current chaos. “(Army) has nothing to do with the political process,” Major General Babar Iftikhar, the head of the military’s PR wing, was quoted as saying by Reuters when asked about how much the Generals were involved in today’s developments.

POLITICAL MASTERSTROKE?

Ahead of the no-trust motion, in his address to Pakistan, embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan had said – ‘I will fight till the last ball.’ On Sunday, when the world was watching the critical proceedings of no-confidence vote, the Pakistan National Assembly decided to reject the motion. Amid the uproar of the Opposition lawmakers, Pakistan National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri shot down the no-trust motion against the Imran Khan government saying that the trust vote was a contradiction of Article 5 of the Pakistan Constitution.

Minutes after the trust vote was rejected by the Pakistan Parliament, Imran Khan addressed the nation in a brief speech. He said that he has advised the President Arif Alvi to call for an early election in Pakistan. Khan said that he has suggested the President to dissolve all assemblies. Thus, instead of facing any humiliation in the National Assembly, Khan has steered clear of the political turmoil in what many are calling a masterstroke.

OPPOSITION STRIKES BACK

PPP chief and Benazir Bhutto’s son Bilawal Bhutto issued a statement after the political twist. Bhutto said that the Imran Khan government has violated the Pakistan Constitution by not allowing the voting on no-trust motion. He said that the Opposition members won’t be leaving the Pakistan National Assembly. He also said that the Opposition will move the Supreme Court of Pakistan against this decision.

ALL EYES ON SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN

Amid the political slugfest, all eyes are on the Pakistan Supreme Court. New reports from Islamabad say that Pakistan’s Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has taken a suo motu notice of the current political turmoil. Reports have emerged that Pak Supreme Court will hear the matter on Monday.