Updated Apr 3, 2022 - World

Pakistan's Imran Khan avoids no-confidence motion, calls for new elections

Axios

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan — Imran Khan. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan requested the country's Parliament be dissolved after he had a parliamentary no-confidence motion against him blocked by the deputy speaker.

Why it matters: Khan has now avoided the planned vote after the deputy speaker from his ruling Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (Justice) Party said it could not go ahead because it was "unconstitutional," per Al Jazeera.

Driving the news: The former cricket star had faced a series of defections in recent weeks. A key ally quit Khan's ruling coalition last week, costing him the majority in Parliament.

The opposition accused Khan of mismanaging the economy amid high inflation in the country, per the New York Times.

The big picture: Ahead of Sunday's vote, Khan rejected mounting pressure to resign as prime minister, saying he would "fight till the last ball."

No previous Pakistani prime minister has completed a full five-year term.

What to watch: Now President Arif Alvi has approved the request to dissolve Parliament, Pakistan's constitution requires that an interim government be established with input from the opposition ahead of elections, which must be held within 90 days, AP notes.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.

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Pakistan's Imran Khan avoids no-confidence motion, calls for new elections

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