Imran Khan is officially no longer Prime Minister of Pakistan, as per the latest circular issued by the Pakistan government.
In a statement released by the government, “Consequent upon the dissolution of Pakistan Assembly by Pakistan’s President in terms of Article 58(1) read with Article 48(1) of the constitution of Pakistan vide Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, on 3rd April, 2022, Mr Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi discontinued to hold the office as the Prime Minister of Pakistan, with immediate effect.”
The decision comes hours after President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on Khan’s advice. The move came after the rejection of a no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government by deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.
The Cabinet secretary’s note clarifies that Imran Khan is no longer the Prime Minister and the country’s bureaucracy runs the government.
Meanwhile, the opposition has made a declaration that PML-N leader Shehbaz Sharif is the prime minister with the support of 195 members. The opposition appointed Ayaz Sadiq as the speaker, who re-validated the no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government.
The opposition has also filed a petition in the SC against the dissolution of the Assembly. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, while adjourning the hearing till Monday, said that all orders & actions taken by the prime minister and the president regarding the dissolution of the National Assembly would be subject to the court’s ruling.
The all-powerful Pakistan Army has refused any role in the political events unfolding in the state capital. As per the head of the military’s public relations wing, Major General Babar Iftikhar, said, “Army has nothing to do in the political process.”
The dissolution of the Assembly means that the elections will be held within a period of three months to elect the next government. In the history of Pakistan politics, none of the prime ministers has completed a full term.
