Pakistan’s Khan calls cabinet meeting as 2nd no-confidence vote delayed

Islamabad, Apr 9 (EFE).- Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday called a cabinet meeting as recesses and speeches delayed the vote of no-confidence against him in parliament.

The emergency cabinet meeting comes as the opponents of the National Assembly (lower house) try to carry out the vote of a motion of censure against Khan for the second time in a week.

The session, which began at 10:30 am, was postponed due to recesses, party meetings, and extensive speeches, which have been questioned by opponents as a government tactic to delay the vote.

Deputy speaker of parliament, Qasim Suri, blocked the first no-confidence motion on 3 April, which the Supreme Court said was “contrary to the constitution”.

Khan “could not have advised” President Arif Alvi to dissolve the parliament, according to the ruling that reinstated the legislature.

The premier, whose five-year term was due to end next year, has claimed that the no-confidence motion was part of US-backed conspiracy after his Russian visit on the day of the Ukraine invasion. Washington has denied the allegations.

Foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said his government received threats from the US Administration just before traveling to Russia, as he addressed the lawmakers.

“Isn’t it a threat if you are told that there will be very bad consequences if you don’t give up (on the visit), that Pakistan will be pardoned if the no-confidence motion passes, but will be isolated if the motion fails?” he said.

The opposition claims to have the backing of 197 members, more than the 172 needed to oust the government in the 342-seat house. EFE

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