Imran Khan, on Sunday, was de-notified as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, in wake of the dissolution of the National Assembly by the President, reports said.
However, under Article 224 of the Constitution of Pakistan, he can continue as the Prime Minister for 15 days till the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister, Geo News reported.
A notification from the Cabinet Division said: “Consequent upon dissolution of the National Assembly by the President of Pakistan, in terms of Article 58(1) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, vide Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ SRO No. 487(1)/2022, dated 3rd April, 2022, Mr Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi ceased to hold the Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, with immediate effect.”
Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that Imran Khan and National Assembly speaker Asad Qaisar will be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution once their government falls, Business Recorder reported.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said that the opposition will “initiate a legal battle” against the “unconstitutional ruling by the NA Deputy Speaker”.
After the no-trust motion against Imran Khan was dismissed on Sunday, Pakistan Army had said it is not involved in politics. The highly anticipated no confidence motion – submitted by the opposition on March 8 – was rejected in a surprise move by National Assembly deputy speaker Qasim Suri over Article 5 of the constitution, which calls for “loyalty to (the) state”. This has irked opposition who are ready to battle it all out until the no-trust vote is held.
Minutes after the Pakistan National Assembly saw chaos on Sunday as the no trust vote was rejected, Imran Khan gave a surprise address to the nation and called for fresh elections. “Prepare for elections. No corrupt forces will decide what the future of the country will be. When the assemblies will be dissolved, the procedure for the next elections and the caretaker government will begin,” he said.
