The submission of a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the combined opposition after weeks of political maneuvering and deliberation may be the day of reckoning for the PTI government. The question now is whether he will survive this move?
Even though the opposition bears the burden of proving that Imran Khan has lost the confidence of the National Assembly, the odds appear to be stacked against him for the time being. PM Khan, who faces a greater challenge from within his own party, has a maximum of 21 days to defeat the motion.
The speaker is required by the Constitution to convene the Assembly session within 14 days of receiving the requisition, for a vote on the resolution after “the expiration of three days” and no “later than seven days” from the start of the sitting.
Previously, similar moves had failed. In 1989, Benazir Bhutto survived a no-confidence vote despite having the full support of the then-president and the establishment.
Thus, the next three weeks will be a test not only of PM Khan’s ability to reclaim the support of disgruntled PTI lawmakers and keep his allies on his side, but also of the opposition parties’ ability to retain the critical support of dissident treasury members until the very end.
Whatever the truth is about his relationships with the military, the opposition has taken advantage of the situation.
And, whether he survives the no-trust vote or not, it is time for him to reflect hard on the factors that have united a deeply divided opposition and his close associates on a single platform to depose him.
PM Khan has made enemies out of friends by relentlessly using the NAB and other federal agencies.
To read our blog on “Video of PM Imran Khan’s candid conversation with Fawad Chaudhry on China has gone viral,” click here.
