Pakistan: NA session adjourned till March 31 after tabling of no-confidence resolution against PM Imran Khan

As the much-anticipated session — which had the no-confidence resolution on its 26-point agenda — began after a two-day recess, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri presided it, Dawn News reported.

During the session, Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif requested the chair for permission to present the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

 "I will request that you (Suri) give permission to present this item in the house ... as the resolution was already on the agenda," he said addressing the NA deputy speaker as quoted by Dawn News.

Subsequently, voting was held to ascertain if the resolution should be tabled. According to NA rules, votes of at least 20 per cent of the total MNAs in the house — which means 68 members — are required to have the no-confidence resolution accepted for voting against the prime minister.

After the counting of the votes, the deputy speaker announced that 161 lawmakers had voted in favour of tabling of the resolution and hence, the "permission is granted to present the no-confidence resolution".

He then asked Sharif to present the resolution, at which the opposition leader rose and read out the resolution.

"Through this resolution, under clause 1 of Article 95 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, this House resolve that it has no confidence in the prime minister, Mr Imran Khan Niazi, and consequently, he shall cease to hold office under clause 4 ibid," he said.

Following the tabling of the resolution, the deputy speaker announced that debate on the resolution would begin on March 31.

"The session is adjourned until 4pm on March 31," he was quoted as saying by Dawn News.