Kahn was set to lose the motion of censure with the opposition securing enough votes. But in a dramatic postponement of the fighting leader, the vote was blocked as “unconstitutional” by the vice president. Following the vote, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said Khan would now continue his responsibilities under Article 224 of the country’s constitution. But without a real precedent for Sunday’s chain of events, it remains somewhat unclear what will happen next. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, one of the leaders of the opposition, described Khan’s move as “unconstitutional”, adding that the matter would be addressed by the Supreme Court. Pakistan’s main opposition parties have rallied for Khan’s ouster since he came to power in 2018 after dramatic elections plunged into allegations of vote-rigging and aggression. For months, Khan has struggled with the depletion of foreign exchange reserves and double-digit inflation that has seen commodity prices, including food and fuel, soar into the country of 220 million. His failure to cooperate with his allies and the country’s powerful army has led to a breakdown in relations within his coalition government. As frustration with his leadership grew, the opposition submitted a motion of no confidence in Parliament. Khan had been urged to resign before the vote. Khan retaliated by calling them “traitors” and repeatedly stressed his desire to fight against the vote. Sunday’s vote of no confidence was backed by a coalition of politicians – including more than a dozen dissidents from Khan’s own political party – who accused him of mismanaging the country’s economy and foreign policy. Hahn had previously called on dissident lawmakers to return to his party, promising to forgive them “as a father forgives his children”. He warned that those who voted against him would face social shame, saying that no one would marry their children. Khan had called on his supporters to gather in the streets of the capital, Islamabad, on Sunday to protest the vote. Security has been stepped up throughout the city, with police patrolling the streets. The red zone of the city, where government and military buildings are located, is sealed with containers. Last week, tens of thousands of people gathered in the city’s iconic Parade Ground, shouting slogans in favor of Khan. No leader has completed a full five-year term as Prime Minister of Pakistan since his formation in 1947. There are now concerns that Khan’s move to call early elections could jeopardize further political instability in the South Asian nation.
