In a show of strength, Prime Minister Imran Khan secured 178 votes to win the vote of confidence from the National Assembly. PM Imran bags 178 votes, six more than required. The NA session was called after Pakistan PTI lost a crucial seat in the Senate elections. The 178 members expressed their confidence in the Prime Minister and played their full role in strengthening democracy in the country. Interestingly, the prime minister secured 178 votes, while in 2018 the premier had secured 176 votes.
It marks the first time a prime minister has undertaken such an exercise after the passage of the 18th Amendment. Prior to this, the law required every prime minister to take a vote of confidence from the Assembly within 30 days of being elected — a vote that Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and other prime ministers of the past had to seek after their election.
However, since 2010, the law has been changed. The clause 7 of Article 91 of the Constitution, the president “shall not exercise his powers under this clause unless he is satisfied that the prime minister does not command the confidence of the majority”. There seems to be confusion about whether the government even followed the correct procedure to call such a session.
Meanwhile, PM Imran Khan’s decision to take a vote of confidence voluntarily has eased political tensions in the country to some extent. Because the opposition was earlier demanding PM Imran’s resignation and dissolution of the Assemblies after the Senate elections. However, by making a timely decision, Imran Khan has blocked the way for immediate change and no-confidence motion in the parliament.
Political turmoil has erupted in Pakistan since the formation of the PTI government in 2018. Legislation and other issues have been stalled due to weak ties between the government and the opposition. Still, the present government, after taking serious measures, has overcome the economic problems to some extent, but due to the lack of basic facilities, the people are dissatisfied with the current government.
At the present, the government should address the basic problems of the people, reduce inflation and unemployment, and improve the education and health systems. For the stability and continuity of democracy in the country, it is necessary to promote the politics of understanding instead of confrontation.
