Imran Khan

Opponents accuse Khan of economic mismanagement and foreign-policy bungling, and have mounted the biggest challenge to his rule since his 2018 election win.

It has been broadly accused by the media, analysts, activists and politicians of what one think tank called a 'silent coup' against the PML-N, and in favour of Khan. A decade later in 2015, he married Reham Nayyar Khan, a BBC weather girl. He was well known in the UK prior to his 2018 election for his marriages to two British women. There have been four military coups - and at least as many unsuccessful ones - since independence in 1947, and the country has spent more than three decades under army rule. The threat comes after a small but key coalition partner abandoned him and joined the opposition. More than a dozen PTI lawmakers have also indicated they will cross the floor when voting for the motion.

The former cricket star faces a no-confidence vote in parliament that could end his four-year run as prime minister.

The former international cricketer is likely to be removed from power in an upcoming no-confidence vote.

People think this is a joke and I have decided to share it with top journalists,” Mr Khan said. However, local media reports said he had postponed the address, citing a PTI senator. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The areas for which we believe immediate steps are needed,” he said. Every clause of our agreement is for the common public of Pakistan and especially for those areas whom we have been representing for the last 35 years. We want to protect the nation and can’t divulge the details in public.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan lost a main coalition partner on Wednesday after a series of similar departures ahead of a no-confidence vote expected ...

The government also began a project to plant 10 billion trees to reverse decades of deforestation. That year, after 22 years in politics, he was at long last victorious, marking a rare ascension by a sporting hero to head of state. In 1995, he married Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of business tycoon James Goldsmith. The couple, who had two sons together, divorced in 2004. A second brief marriage to TV journalist Reham Nayyar Khan also ended in divorce. Despite his fame, the PTI languished in Pakistan's political wilderness, not winning a seat other than Khan's for 17 years. His goal, Khan told a gathering of hundreds of thousands of supporters in 2018, was to turn Pakistan from a country with a "small group of wealthy and a sea of poor" into an "example for a humane system, a just system, for the world, of what an Islamic welfare state is".

Legislators in Pakistan appear poised to push Prime Minister Imran Khan out of power in an upcoming no-confidence vote, after a small but key coalition ...

The former international cricketer is likely to be removed from power in an upcoming no-confidence vote.

People think this is a joke and I have decided to share it with top journalists,” Mr Khan said. However, local media reports said he had postponed the address, citing a PTI senator. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The areas for which we believe immediate steps are needed,” he said. Every clause of our agreement is for the common public of Pakistan and especially for those areas whom we have been representing for the last 35 years. We want to protect the nation and can’t divulge the details in public.

Legislators in Pakistan appear poised to push Prime Minister Imran Khan out of power in an upcoming no-confidence vote, after a small but key coalition ...

Pakistan's opposition parties have introduced a no-confidence vote against the country's Prime Minister, former cricketer Imran Khan, largely based on ...

That is the same number of votes against them in a no-confidence vote needed to oust them and dissolve their cabinet. Candidates can be put forward by any party with legislators in the assembly. There will be a vote in the National Assembly to elect a new prime minister to serve until then.

With PM Khan's ouster likely to bring another round of instability in Pakistan, a look at how no-confidence vote works.

The PTI has 155 members, and it was coalition partners that allowed Khan to cross the 172-vote threshold to be elected prime minister in 2018. That is the same number of votes needed to pass a no-confidence vote against him and his cabinet. Candidates can be put forward by any party represented in the assembly. The speaker of the National Assembly has to carry out the vote no sooner than three days and no later than seven days after the motion is tabled. Some constitutional analysts say the assembly can be dissolved and a general election held if no candidate can secure a majority of votes to become the prime minister. There will be a vote in the National Assembly to elect a new prime minister to serve until then.

Imran Khan is fighting for his political survival as he attempts to rally supporters while facing a no-confidence vote triggered by mass demonstrations.

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Pakistani opposition lawmakers moved a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 28. It was the culmination of political turmoil that ...

Instead, in a break from the past, Khan has chosen anti-Americanism to paint Pakistan’s opposition coalition as enemies of the state and justify the failings of his government on economic issues. Khan referred to the Army as “ animals” on account of their neutrality on the ongoing political crisis in Pakistan and refusal to back the PTI regime. However, it appears that the PTI is not done negotiating with the MQM-P. PTI leader Faisal Vawda said he has returned to Islamabad from Karachi on Khan’s directions to hold talks with the MQM-P delegation alongside Pervez Khattak and Imran Ismail. Khan in the past has also utilized Pakistan’s ant-corruption watchdog to target the opposition. On the one hand, Pakistan’s domestic politics continues to be highly unstable and fragmented, with weak commitments to democratic institutions and practices. The most alarming part of Khan’s strategy has been his willingness to use violence to intimidate his opponents. Whichever direction political headwinds in Pakistan take, the crisis has affirmed some long-standing assumptions about Pakistan’s politics and disabused some others. Khan instead has heaped praised on India’s “independent” foreign policy during the Ukraine crisis, stating India was buying Russian oil despite global sanctions because its policy was for the betterment of the Indian people. Khan has sought to position his battle against the PDM as a war against internal corruption and for Pakistan’s sovereignty. Both Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the opposition coalition known as the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) recognize that the deciding factor will be Khan’s coalition partners. In a mammoth two-hour long speech on March 27, Khan claimed attempts to dislodge him were part of a “ foreign-funded conspiracy” in which his ministers were being bribed to vote against him. For example, sources privy to the matter revealed that the PTI government was likely to offer the Ports and Shipping Ministry to coalition partner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), which has seven members in Pakistan’s parliament.

With the departure of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement from the ruling coalition leaving the PTI-led government as a minority in Parliament, Khan is set to lose ...

While Shehbaz Sharif – he is the brother of Nawaz Sharif who lives in self-exile in London — is rumoured to be the most acceptable choice for the establishment, a politician with good administration skills who will run the show until the election without rocking the civilian-military boat, the Pakistan Army can be expected to make sure that the next election will not throw up any big winners who can challenge its dominance. Any new dispensation, even a caretaker arrangement, will need to accept the rules of the hybrid game. That process is still alive and Imran Khan’s departure may see it producing some thaw in the Pakistan-India relationship. Khan’s continuance in office had begun to look shaky since last October, when he faced down the Army over differences on the appointment of the ISI chief. Amid this uncertainty, Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt. Gen Nadeem Anjum paid a visit to Khan at his home in the evening. Khan’s fumbling over Bajwa’s first extension back in 2019 was the first disappointment.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was scheduled to address the nation on Wednesday which was deferred owing to the Army's intervention, it is believed.

However, Waseem Akhtar confirmed that the government, during the negotiation, offered them the ministry of Ports and Shipping but the party did not give attention to the offer. Minister Fawad Chaudhry rejected reports of the Pakistan Army asking Imran Khan to resign. Pakistan is caught in a political quagmire with Imran Khan reportedly being on the verge of an ouster.

Amid a political crisis in Pakistan, a senior leader in the country claimed that Prime Minister Imran Khan's life is in danger. While speaking to a ...

In case it happens, Khan's ouster is likely to bring another round of instability to the nuclear-armed country. He said that the PM is brave and will not let the nation bow down before anyone. While speaking to a Pakistani media outlet, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stalwart Faisal Vawda said that a conspiracy has been hatched to assassinate PM Khan.

Read more about US denies sending 'conspiracy' letter to topple Imran Khan govt on Business-standard. Pakistan's embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on ...

- Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. The opposition is confident that its motion would be carried as some allies of PTI have come out in the open against Imran Khan. Imran Khan also said that he will share the 'foreign-funded conspiracy' letter with senior journalists and ally party members. "The purpose behind such cables is to keep your government informed. The letter can be the diplomatic cable from Washington, drafted by a Pakistani diplomat.

When Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan released a photo of a luncheon with Bill Gates last month, social media users noticed something odd: The round table ...

Even so, he said, Khan only has himself to blame for his current troubles with the military. Ahead of the vote, Mr Khan has vowed to stay on. Biden didn't invite Mr Khan to his climate summit last April and wouldn't speak to him on the phone. A loss, on the other hand, could help him deflect blame for the economic slowdown ahead of national elections that must be held by August 2023. Mr Khan this month unexpectedly cut fuel and electricity prices to pacify public anger, disregarding the IMF agreement. Still, a Gallup poll last month showed Mr Khan's approval rating has dropped to 36% from 40% in 2018, while Nawaz Sharif's had more than doubled to 55% in that time. For the military, referred to locally as "the establishment," Mr Khan once represented stability -- especially as the economy recovered from a pandemic-induced contraction. That served as the backdrop for last month's luncheon with Gates, who was in Pakistan to promote a campaign to eradicate polio. Last year, the army's tacit backing helped Khan survive a similar challenge when he was forced to test his majority in parliament. In one example of how that works on the ground, intelligence officers would often call up certain politicians that criticized Khan on television talk shows and warn them to stay quiet. Pakistan security sources called allegations that the army or its affiliated institutions affected the outcome of the 2018 election "baseless and unfounded." The vacant space contained a ghost-like figure who appeared to be conversing with others around him, raising questions about whether the image had been doctored.

Pakistan's prime minister faces a vote of no confidence and could be out of office within days.

"In terms of attracting the electorate for the upcoming polls, this could be their big slogan. Abdul Basit believes the only plan the opposition has is to topple the government but they have not done any homework about what might happen next - nor do they appear concerned about that. "However, no matter who wins, ultimately, the losers will be Pakistani citizens. He has yet to reveal the letter's contents, despite repeated promises. Imran Khan, elected in July 2018 vowing to tackle corruption and fix the economy, isn't going quietly. It means on paper the opposition now commands 175 votes to the government's 164.

Imran Khan is scrambling to keep his members on side with debate on a no-confidence vote to begin on Thursday.

Khan had been due to address the nation on Wednesday evening, but it was later postponed without a reason. The group said it will start on the first day of the Islamic fasting month, which begins on Sunday or Monday. More than a dozen PTI lawmakers have also indicated they will cross the floor, although party leaders are trying to get the courts to prevent them from voting on Sunday.

Besieged by the opposition and abandoned by coalition partners, Imran Khan faces the greatest challenge so far in his political career.

Parliament was to reconvene on Sunday to begin the debate. He called them ‘electables’ — necessary to win elections because their wealth and vast land holdings guaranteed votes in large swaths of the country. Besieged by the opposition and abandoned by coalition partners, Mr Khan faces the greatest challenge so far in his political career.

In an extraordinary TV rant to the nation, the former cricketer turned politician aimed both barrels at the United States and claimed it wanted him to lose ...

A man watches Imran Khan's TV address to the nation on Thursday night. 'America has - oh, not America but a foreign country I can't name. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has accused the United States of trying to oust him from power in an extraordinary TV rant amid the threat of a no-confidence vote in his leadership. Fighting for his political life, Khan addressed the nation late Thursday, appearing to blunder when he named the United States as the origin of a 'message' he said showed meddling in Pakistan's affairs. Pakistan PM Imran Khan accuses US of trying to oust him in TV rant as he desperately tries to cling to power amid threat of a no-confidence vote - Khan is trying to become the first Pakistani premier to finish a full term in office

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday accused his opponents of “treason” and taking part in a foreign conspiracy to topple ...

However, critics say his government is riddled with the same corruption that he pledged to eliminate. But such a move would probably plunge the country into crisis and further jeopardize Khan’s position. Seven lawmakers who previously supported Khan switched sides Wednesday. Opposition leaders require a simple majority of 172 for the vote to succeed. Despite numerous threats to Khan’s power in recent years, his strong relationship with the military kept him largely insulated from attacks. After months of slowly peeling away votes from Khan’s base, opposition leadership said Wednesday that it had the ballots needed to unseat him. If the no-confidence vote is held and is successful, it will be the first time Parliament has removed a Pakistani prime minister from power.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said he will face a no-confidence vote on Sunday after days of speculation over the timing of the move.

Besieged by the opposition and abandoned by coalition partners, Imran Khan faces the greatest challenge so far in his political career.

Parliament was to reconvene on Sunday to begin the debate. He called them ‘electables’ — necessary to win elections because their wealth and vast land holdings guaranteed votes in large swaths of the country. Besieged by the opposition and abandoned by coalition partners, Mr Khan faces the greatest challenge so far in his political career.

From exile in Saudi Arabia to money laundering charges, the man touted to replace Imran Khan as prime minister has a long political history.

He is also the current leader of the PML-N and took charge after his brother, who formed the party and is currently in London, was disqualified from holding office. While Mr Sharif enjoys popular support right now, Mr Khan isn’t letting it go without a fight either. The parliament session is tomorrow. He was later released on bail. The opposition is ready with a new candidate for the job. He is no longer the prime minister.

Speech had been postponed after coalition party joined opposition, ending his parliamentary majority.

Kanwar Naveed Jamil, the deputy convener of MQM-P, was harassed and called a traitor by Khan’s supporters in Islamabad international airport on Wednesday after his party parted its ways with the prime minister. Perhaps Imran Khan should sit back and reflect on his own performance in office rather than whipping up more hatred.” He will not resign.” Khan has been holding rallies of his supporters before the confidence vote.

The NSC is chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by services chiefs, key ministers, national security adviser and top intelligence officials. Prime ...

Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. Khan also called a select group of TV anchors and informed them that "the language of the letter was threatening and arrogant" and that Pakistan would face dire consequences if the no-confidence motion failed. Prime Minister Khan will also address the nation this evening, Chaudhry said in another tweet.

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NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day. He was also chancellor of the University of Bradford from 2005 to 2014. He needs 172 votes to remain in power, but about a dozen lawmakers from his ruling party have revolted, accusing Khan of mismanaging the country’s economy. Legislators in Pakistan appear poised to push Khan out of power in the upcoming no-confidence vote, after a small but key coalition partner abandoned him and joined the opposition. Before entering politics, 69-year-old Khan was an international cricketer and captain of the Pakistan national cricket team, which he led to victory in the 1992 Cricket World Cup.