Pakistan
Pakistan dissolves National Assembly amid political and financial crisis
Islamabad: Pakistan dissolved has dissolved its parliament on the recommendations of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, paving the way for general elections, media reports said.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani PM initiated the procedure for dissolving the National Assembly, the lower house of the country's parliament, Pakistan's Geo TV broadcaster reported.
According to Geo TV, Sharif sent a summary for the dissolution of the National Assembly to President Arif Alvi on Wednesday evening.
The president approved the assembly's early dissolution.
The development came amid the ongoing economic turbulence in the Southasian nation.
Former prime minister Imran Khan will be unable to participate in the election as he was incarcerated in connection with a corruption case on August 5.
The court sentenced the former Pakistan PM to three years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 100,000 on him for concealing details of Toshakhana gifts.
According to media reports, the Pakistani President has given three days to appoint an interim prime minister and 90 days to hold elections.
However, the incumbent government has made it clear that the general elections cannot be held before the next year as it is looking to stabilise the political and financial crisis-hit nation.
Following the 2018 general elections in Pakistan, Imran Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), emerged as the winner with the highest number of seats. Imran Khan, the former cricket icon, took the oath of office as the prime minister just three days after the election results were announced.
As Pakistan approaches another round of general elections, the country's military, known for its history of orchestrating successful coups since 1947, is once more exerting its influence over the politically tumultuous nation.
According to experts, Khan's rise to popularity and subsequent removal from power were significantly impacted by the military, with whom he frequently clashed.
The former cricket captain of Pakistan launched a campaign against the military, accusing it of meddling in political affairs.
He even pointed to an intelligence officer as the orchestrator of an assassination attempt on him in November, during which he sustained a leg injury from a gunshot.
Despite advocating for early elections, withdrawing PTI lawmakers from the parliament, and pursuing a confrontational stance against the military, Khan's efforts ultimately proved ineffective as he faced legal action in over 200 cases.
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