The Pakistani parliament has been dissolved, triggering elections that some fear could have serious implications for Pakistan’s stability.
Prime Minister Imran Khan was facing a no-confidence vote in the legislature, which he seemed set to lose. However, the deputy speaker of Parliament, a close ally of Khan, suspended the vote. Khan asked the country’s president to dissolve Parliament, which he did, triggering new elections.
Khan claimed that he was the victim of a foreign conspiracy led by the US to overthrow him. The US has denied these allegations.
Opposition figures have heavily criticised the move, with some calling it a ‘civilian coup’.
There are also concerns that the military could act, with Pakistan having a long history of military coups and rule.
New elections will be held in the next 90 days.
Khan is a former international cricketer, who was widely considered one of the best all-rounders in the world in his playing days. He also led Pakistan to their only victory in the 50-over Cricket World Cup in 1992.
He became Prime Minister in 2018 when his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice) party emerged as the single biggest party in an election held that year. Khan was elected as Prime Minister with the support of seven smaller parties as well as an independent.
Image: Voice of America, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons