Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

2022 - 4 - 10

Imran Khan Imran Khan

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Pakistan's parliament votes in opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif as ... (CNN)

Pakistan's lawmakers voted in opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif as the country's new prime minister on Monday, after Imran Khan was ousted at the weekend in ...

The opposition challenged Khan's moves in Pakistan's highest court, with Sharif calling them "nothing short of high treason." Tens of thousands took to the streets in key cities, including Lahore and Peshawar, to support the ousted leader. Tensions smoldered for days, with Khan repeatedly rejecting the criticism and instead claiming the moves against him were an attempt at regime change backed by Washington and some members of the opposition. In recent months, Sharif had led a campaign to remove Khan as Pakistan's leader over claims of economic mismanagement and poor governance. All of Khan's lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party resigned en masse in protest ahead of Monday's vote, and there will now have to be urgent elections to replace them. His next rally is scheduled for April 16 in Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan.

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How will PM Khan's removal affect Pakistan's fragile democracy? (Aljazeera.com)

Now, out of power, Imran Khan actually has a better chance of striking a blow for democracy and civilian supremacy.

It ignores that Khan does not have a problem with the military, just one military man. Foreign powers such as the United States had, momentarily, wised up, and signalled to the military that they would not countenance overt interference, as they had before. It is the peaceful and predictable transition of power from one elected government to another that genuinely marks one as a democracy. But this progress was always tenuous, with Imran Khan the bull in this delicate china shop. The military was antsy, but without a major party to play ball with, could not get up to its usual tricks. Political scientists who study democracy look for a second consecutive free and fair election, not the first, when considering whether to qualify a country as a democracy. Through an apocalyptic flood, a global recession, and a devastating war against the Taliban, the PPP government handed the reins to the PML-N. It was the first time in Pakistan’s history that the National Assembly had completed its tenure. Pakistan has enough security threats, internal and external, for its military and intelligence agencies not to be mired in the business of elections, parties, or politicians. The turn of the century found Musharraf’s military authoritarian government entrenched in power. A tussle ensues, the military wins, and the civilian is deposed. Khan’s dalliance with the military has arguably taken Pakistan back 30 years with respect to its political development. Next, in the 1980s, it was Zia’s turn, nurturing the rise of Nawaz Sharif, then a young industrialist.

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New Pakistan PM sworn in after Imran Khan's ousting (1 News)

Pakistan's parliament on Tuesday elected opposition lawmaker Shahbaz Sharif as the new Prime Minister, following a week of political turmoil that led to the ...

Khan's party is challenging that election, and the younger Sharif has yet to be sworn in. That conspiracy theory resonates with his youthful base, which often sees the US war on terrorism after 9/11 as unfairly targeting Pakistan. They have dismissed the allegations as being politically motivated. In Pakistani politics, where loyalties are often fluid, Bhutto's fiercest opposition often came from Sharif's party. He has tapped into anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, accusing Washington of conspiring with his opponents to topple him. The opposition, which accuses Khan of economic mismanagement, appealed to the Supreme Court. After four days of deliberations, the court said Khan's move was illegal and the no-confidence vote went ahead, leading to his ouster.

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Imran Khan has been ousted as Pakistan's prime minister (NPR)

Imran Khan was ousted from his position as prime minister of Pakistan after 174 legislators voted against him in a no-confidence motion early on Sunday ...

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Pakistan PM Imran Khan loses no-confidence vote (Aljazeera.com)

Pakistan's leader is ousted from office after 174 members voted against him in parliament.

The US denied any involvement. We have had discussions with our allies on the way forward once this government goes home.” “The incoming government … needs to put in hard effort to undo the damage,” said Tauseef Ahmed Khan, a political analyst. “We will not seek revenge. Khan alleged the US orchestrated his removal by conspiring with the opposition, and the next government will have to work hard to patch up relations with Washington – a key arms supplier. Khan became the first prime minister in the country’s history overthrown through a vote of no confidence, the only constitutional way to remove the head of government in Pakistan.

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Pakistan parliament ousts Imran Khan in last-minute vote (The Guardian)

Pakistan's prime minister found to have broken the law by attempting to stop vote going ahead.

“What is happening with our democracy is catastrophic,” Khan said in his speech. “From paralysed bureaucracy to the foreign policy challenges to the broken economy, chaos is reigning supreme.” The opposition has stated its intention to hold elections in the next few months, though they are likely to be October at the earliest. They appealed to the supreme court, who overturned Khan’s decision. Fawad Hussain, Khan’s minister for information, called it a “sad day for Pakistan. The return of looters and a good man sent home.” The Islamabad high court also prepared itself to hear a late-night contempt of court case.

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Imran Khan: Pakistan PM ousted after losing no confidence vote (Sky News)

Mr Khan, a former cricket star, surged to power in 2018 but recently lost his parliamentary majority. He has accused his opponents of colluding with the US ...

Few politicians from Mr Khan's ruling party were present for the process, according to Reuters. Mr Khan, a former cricket star, surged to power in 2018 but recently lost his parliamentary majority. Mr Khan has accused his opponents of colluding with the US to remove him but has provided no evidence, and has urged people to take to the streets this weekend in protest.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan ousted in no-confidence vote (The Washington Post)

Khan made a last-ditch effort to cling to power, producing a document that he said proved U.S. officials had conspired against him in league with his ...

“Now we will make Pakistan again a country grounded in the law and the Constitution.” After taking office, Khan shifted Pakistan’s allegiance to China and caused consternation in Washington with some of his policies and public gestures. For the first time since the nation’s founding in 1947, it was neither a military coup nor another form of extralegal interference that cut short a prime minister’s tenure. Then the national assembly speaker announced that he was resigning to support Khan after viewing the secret document. And when it appeared that his opponents had marshaled enough votes to remove him, Khan dissolved the legislature April 3 and arranged to have the vote abruptly canceled, on the grounds that it was based on an illegal foreign conspiracy. “Today, Parliament will be writing history and defeat an elected prime minister in a constitutional manner,” he declared. Stunned and enraged, opposition leaders rushed to the Supreme Court, demanding that it overturn Khan’s actions on the grounds that they were unconstitutional and illegal. The count started just before midnight, and by 1:30 a.m., the embattled premier had been removed from office. Meanwhile, Khan spoke at a charity event and held a closed-door Cabinet meeting. Instead, pro-government members spent much of the day giving long, rambling speeches in an effort to delay the vote. Khan, in a subdued address to the nation Friday, said he would accept the decision. But in recent months, he had struggled to control rampant inflation, foreign debt and other economic woes.

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Imran Khan: Pakistan Prime Minister voted out of office - CNN (CNN)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has been ousted as the country's leader following a vote of no-confidence over allegations of economic mismanagement, ...

But diplomacy on both sides led to a simmering stalemate that lasted throughout Khan's premiership, with much praise going to the Pakistani leader for his professional and peaceful conduct. Khan won a seat in parliament in 2002, but his party mostly languished in the political wilderness. They had urged Khan to resign ahead of the vote. Khan said he had been singled out by the US because, unlike his opponents, he couldn't "easily be used as a puppet by the West," with regard to an independent foreign policy. The Supreme Court's Thursday decision paved the way for Khan's removal from office. No prime minister has ever completed a full five-year term under the present constitution of 1973.

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Photos: The rise and fall of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan (Aljazeera.com)

The former cricket star has been ousted after a no-confidence motion against him in parliament.

Still, many see him as a saviour of the common man in the roles of a cricketer, philanthropist and politician. Imran Khan has been removed from the prime minister’s office in Pakistan after a no-confidence motion against him succeeded in parliament. The former cricket star has been ousted after a no-confidence motion against him in parliament.

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Imran Khan has been ousted as Pakistan's prime minister (knkx.org)

Updated April 9, 2022 at 4:45 PM ET. Imran Khan was ousted from his position as prime minister of Pakistan after 174 legislators voted against him in a no-confidence motion early on Sunday morning. The vote came after the speaker of the house resigned, ...

The Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam, or Assembly of Clerics, teaches a deeply conservative brand of Islam in its schools. It is you who have to protect your democracy, your sovereignty and your independence. He said they needed to protect Pakistan's sovereignty and oppose U.S. dictations. Before discussion of the vote began, all of Khan's allies walked out of the chamber. The U.S. State Department has denied any involvement in Pakistan's internal politics. "You have to come out to protect your own future.

Pakistan parliament holds a no-confidence vote against Prime ... (NPR)

The Pakistan parliament is holding a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Imran Khan, which will lead to his ouster. Opponents accuse his government of ...

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Imran Khan No-Trust Vote Live Updates: Shehbaz files nomination ... (The Indian Express)

Pakistan News LIVE Updates, Imran Khan No-Trust Vote Live News: In his first comment after losing the no-trust vote, ousted PM Imran Khan tweeted, '.

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All out! Imran Khan dismissed as Pakistan prime minister on the ... (News24)

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has been ousted after he lost a vote of confidence in parliament, after being deserted by coalition partners who blame ...

We want to hear your views on the news. Khan, who was not present for the vote, had no immediate comment. Parliamentary elections are not due until August 2023. "Consequently, the motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan has been passed," he said to the thumping of desks in the chamber. Opposition parties were able to secure 174 votes in the 342-member house in support of the no-confidence motion, Sadiq said, making it a majority vote. - Opposition parties secured 174 votes in the 342-member house in support of the motion, making it a majority vote.

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Imran Khan, Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister, Warns 'Freedom ... (Newsweek)

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan blamed the opposition's attempts to oust him as being part of a "foreign conspiracy."

"Congratulations to the Pakistani nation on a new dawn. But again, these allegations are absolutely not true." Political tensions within the world's second-largest Muslim nation had risen in recent weeks, with Khan claiming the previous vote was a case of "blatant interference in domestic politics by the United States." "Alhamdulillah [praise be to God], dear country and the House of Parliament, was finally freed from a serious crisis last night. In a Saturday Sharif said: "May Allah Almighty bestow his special blessings on this nation in the blessed month of Ramadan. "It is always the people of the country who defend their sovereignty and democracy."

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Pakistan's ousted prime minister remains a potent force (The Washington Post)

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistanis woke up Sunday feeling whiplashed by a political crisis that had barely been averted. While relieved at the peaceful ending ...

The other rallying cry that Khan has increasingly used to his advantage is anti-Americanism, and it is already emerging as a major theme in his likely attempts at a political comeback. First, he managed to cancel a parliamentary vote of no confidence in him by charging that rival legislators were backed by a “foreign conspiracy.” But U.S. influence has long been a political rallying cry in Pakistan and is likely to remain so. “He spoke of creating a true democracy and an ideal society, but instead his major legacy was to leave society divided and the economy in ruins. “Khan proved to be a demagogue who did little to address serious issues,” Amir said. On Sunday night, many protesters at pro-Khan rallies shouted, “America’s friends are traitors,” referring to Pakistani politicians who opposed Khan. When the elections are held again, we know he will bounce back with even more power.” Khan did not appear in person at any rally, but he sent out a stream of exhilarated tweets as they continued to spread. By wooing disgruntled Khan allies, his opponents mustered enough votes in parliament to bring him down. Khan has also made it clear he wants to seek office again. Televised footage showed thousands of people mingling in city plazas, dancing, clapping and chanting, “Who will save Pakistan? Imran Khan, Imran Khan.” “Imran felt he was above the law and the constitution.

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Thousands protest in Pakistan after Prime Minister Imran Khan ... (ABC News)

Imran Khan, the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted by a no-confidence vote, claims a foreign conspiracy is behind his fall from power.

Washington dismissed the accusation. Mr Khan had antagonised the United States throughout his tenure, welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year and more recently accusing the US of being behind the attempt to oust him. Mr Khan, the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted by a no-confidence vote, had clung on for almost a week after a united opposition first tried to remove him. Mr Khan antagonised the United States throughout his tenure, welcoming the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year and more recently accusing the United States of being behind the attempt to oust him. The younger brother of three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, 70-year-old Mr Shehbaz led the move to topple former cricket star Mr Khan, and he is widely expected to replace him following a vote today. "In a democratic system the final voice will be the voice of the people, and the voice is the people is Imran Khan," Ambareen Turk, a local party activist who joined protesters in Islamabad, said.

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Pakistan's Imran Khan removed as prime minister after no ... (Axios)

Why it matters: While no previous Pakistani prime minister has completed a full five-year term, the former cricket star is the first to be removed from office ...

The big picture: He took office in 2018 after running as an anti-establishment politician who pledged to clear up corruption in politics. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people," British and Ukrainian officials said. By the numbers: The motion passed early Sunday local time in the 342-seat parliament with 174 votes — two more than was required for a simple majority, according to the Washington Post.

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Imran Khan has been ousted as Pakistan's prime minister (WYPR)

Updated April 9, 2022 at 4:45 PM ET. Imran Khan was ousted from his position as prime minister of Pakistan after 174 legislators voted against him in a ...

The Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam, or Assembly of Clerics, teaches a deeply conservative brand of Islam in its schools. It is you who have to protect your democracy, your sovereignty and your independence. He said they needed to protect Pakistan's sovereignty and oppose U.S. dictations. Before discussion of the vote began, all of Khan's allies walked out of the chamber. The U.S. State Department has denied any involvement in Pakistan's internal politics. "You have to come out to protect your own future.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

Pakistani lawmakers to elect new prime minister after Imran Khan ... (NPR)

The leading contender is Shahbaz Sharif, opposition lawmaker and a brother of disgraced former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. But his election will not guarantee ...

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Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan ousted by a no-confidence vote ... (Global Voices Kenya)

After much drama, Imran Khan was removed as Prime Minister of Pakistan after he lost a no-confidence motion on April 9, 2022.

On March 8, 2022, the opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against Khan as per the constitution of Pakistan, contending that he had lost the trust of the majority of lawmakers and the public. Minutes before voting began, in the final hour of the day, the speaker and the deputy speaker resigned from their posts. The military leadership told the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting on March 27 that there was no evidence to suggest the United States had threatened to be or was involved in the conspiracy to seek the ouster of the PTI government. Meanwhile, the opposition pushed the speaker to implement the Supreme Court order to commence voting on the no-confidence resolution. This was the end of the drama that started earlier this year when the opposition parties started discussing a no-confidence motion against Khan and the ruling PTI, with some members of his alliance indicating they might swing. Imran Khan was removed as prime minister of Pakistan as he lost a no-confidence motion just before the clock struck midnight at the end of April 9, 2022.

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Pakistan political crisis LIVE: Shehbaz Sharif takes oath as 23rd Pak ... (Hindustan Times)

Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. During the national assembly session for electing the new Prime ...

Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) party on Monday decided to boycott the National Assembly session for the election of the new prime minister. He further said that country's National Security Committee would be briefed on controversial letter related to this so-called conspiracy. The motion against chief minister Khan was submitted last Friday. - Apr 11, 2022 07:22 PM IST - Apr 11, 2022 08:07 PM IST "President Dr. Arif Alvi has complained of discomfort.

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Pakistan: Shahbaz Sharif replaces ousted Imran Khan as prime ... (Sky News)

Mr Sharif follows in his brother's footsteps and will have a small majority of 174, enough to pass laws in the 342-seat assembly.

Shabaz Sharif will have a small majority of 174, enough to pass laws in the 342-seat assembly. Mr Sharif follows in his brother's footsteps and will have a small majority of 174, enough to pass laws in the 342-seat assembly. Mr Khan, the cricket star turned politician became the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted by a no-confidence vote in the early hours of Sunday.

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Imran Khan: The fall of Pakistan's populist prime minister (Middle East Eye)

Khan promised voters a 'new' Pakistan. Instead, what they got was economic misfortune and a crackdown on dissent.

Firstly, Khan’s populism requires him to feel self-important; the downfall of a leader of an Islamic country can’t happen without a global conspiracy. Yet, this move also meant that Khan, as the civilian face of Pakistan’s civil-military rule, must pay the price alone for the political anger amassed during his four-year rule. Khan has also expressed a desire to rid Pakistan of " evil and corrupt politicians", a populist stance that I recall from my 1996 interview with him, and which he later used to encourage people to stop paying utility bills when the Sharif government was in power. He once wanted to rid the country of western financial institutions, and his solution was to increase taxes, ignoring critics who said this would not work without controlling government expenditures. Staying at a local guesthouse with his elder sister, he seemed to me like a man with a misplaced sense of entitlement, searching for a post-retirement purpose in life. This reflects an inflated sense of self-importance, common in the political post-truth era.

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Pakistan latest updates: Sharif promises to tackle economy (Aljazeera.com)

Pakistan's parliament has elected Shehbaz Sharif as the country's new prime minister. The election came after PM Imran Khan was removed from office after ...

“We reject this process and also announce [a] boycott of the election for Prime Minister.” “The economic challenges are huge and we need to make a way out of these troubles. There are speculations that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the party of former PM Khan, has decided to boycott the election of a new prime minister in parliament, according to local media reports. Khan headed the meeting and told colleagues he will be the first to submit his resignation as a member of the house, the report said. A session of Pakistan’s parliament to elect a new prime minister has begun, capping a tumultuous week of political drama that saw the removal of PM Imran Khan and a constitutional crisis narrowly averted after the country’s top court stepped in. “This house is going to elect a new prime minister but everyone knows he [Sharif] is being imposed and does not have the mandate of the people,” Qureshi said.

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Pakistan elects center-right prime minister after ousting Imran Khan ... (The Week Magazine)

Shehbaz Sharif leads the center-right Pakistan Muslim League and is the younger brother of three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was removed from office ...

With the election of the new prime minister, a major political crisis appears to have been averted. After a tense political standoff Saturday night, the vote finally went ahead. 172 votes were needed to remove Khan from office.

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