Ending weeks of speculation, opposition parties in Pakistan have submitted a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly seeking to dislodge the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan for alleged failure to control inflation and mismanagement of the economy. 

86 lawmakers of key opposition parties, including the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (N), on Monday, submitted the no-trust motion against the Khan government. The move came amid the backdrop of reports that a number of key government allies are reportedly unhappy with the government. 

On the same day, supporters and leaders of opposition parties held a mega anti-government march and rally in capital Islamabad. 

“The days of Imran Khan (as prime minister) are numbered,” Bilawal Bhutto, the leader of opposition PPP, said at the rally, expressing full confidence that their no-confidence motion would succeed. 

On Monday, Prime Minister Khan, speaking to reporters, said that his government would survive the no-trust motion, and claimed  he still enjoys the majority.

Since coming to power in 2018 with the alleged backing of the country’s powerful military, this is the toughest challenge Khan is facing. Significantly, the move by the opposition came at a time when Khan’s ties with the military establishment are reportedly no longer as smooth as they were before. 

Over the last several weeks, a number of key powerful allies of the government had also held meetings with opposition leaders, fuelling speculation they might switch their loyalty. The military, a key protector of Khan’s power, interestingly appears distancing itself from the domestic political upheaval against Khan this time. 

Unlike previous no-confidence motions against Khan’s government, this time there is significant public anger over skyrocketing inflation and the poor state of the economy. If the motion succeeds and the country goes into elections, the chances of Khan’s party returning to power seem bleak.

However, some report in local media suggests, opposition leaders are unwilling to go for polls and are reportedly making plans to form an alternative coalition government. 

(SAM)