Pakistan Parliament blocs confidence in PM, speaker slams conspiracy
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Pakistan reports that Islamabad's parliament speaker and his deputy resigned as sources suggest the possibility of imposing martial law in the country.
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The Pakistani parliament in session, Islamabad, Pakistan
Pakistani Parliament speaker Asad Qaiser resigned late Saturday from his post alongside deputy speaker Qasim Suri as the national assembly started a no-confidence vote in Prime Minister Imran Khan, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.
Speaker Qaiser resigned minutes before the no-confidence vote, which has been described as a US-led conspiracy to oust the country's premier, started.
"I have decided, keeping in view the letter which I'll share with the Supreme Court, that I can no longer stay at the office of Speaker," he said.
Qaiser asked Ayaz Sadiq from the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) to complete the legal procedure, i.e., hold the no-confidence vote session, for it could not take place without a speaker for the national assembly.
Pakistan Dawn news reported that speaker Qaiser explained his resignation by saying he could not partake in a foreign conspiracy to oust Prime Minister Khan.
Pakistani sources told Al Mayadeen's correspondent it was likely that Islamabad would declare a nationwide martial law. Those same sources had indicated earlier that Prime Minister Khan was likely to resign from his post as he called for an urgent meeting with his party members.
Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Reuters reported, met Saturday with Prime Minister Imran Khan hours after a surprise suspension of a parliament no-confidence vote.
Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, called for the President to dissolve parliament and hold early elections Sunday, a move that took place after members of the National Assembly presented a motion for a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister. The deputy speaker of Parliament, however, blocked the motion, ruling it was unconstitutional and part of a foreign conspiracy.
Pakistan's PM stated on Friday that his government gave an official note to the United States Embassy in Islamabad to protest Washington's interference in the country's affairs.
Khan said on Friday he accepted a ruling by Pakistan's Supreme Court that may see him ousted from office.
