The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday, 7 April, unanimously ruled that the National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri's rejection of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan was illegal, noting that it was contrary to the country's Constitution.
The court ruled in favour of restoring the National Assembly, and ordered a no-confidence vote against the PM on Saturday, 9 April. The vote will be held at 10 am.
The apex court had earlier reserved its verdict on the suo motu notice on the matter.
Prior to the verdict, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, had said that the court would move forward considering national interest and practical possibilities. Ahead of the verdict, Bandial had summoned a senior Election Commission official, NDTV reported.
Meanwhile, security was beefed up at the SC premises, with riot police deployed outside the apex court.
The case was heard by a five-member bench headed by Justice Bandial, and comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel, Justice Munib Akhtar, and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail.
Deputy Speaker's Ruling is Erroneous: CJP
Earlier, during the hearing, CJP Bandial said that the ruling of Deputy Speaker Suri, which dismissed the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan, was erroneous.
"The real question at hand is what happens next," he said and added that now the PML-N counsel and Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan would guide the court on how to proceed.
"We have to look at national interest," he said, adding that the court would issue a verdict today.
After the Supreme Court's decision, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted, "Democracy is the best revenge! Jiya Bhutto! Jiya Awam! Pakistan Zindabad."
Shahbaz Sharif, the brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and a top contender for Imran Khan's post, tweeted: "An epoch-making day! Mubarak to all who supported, defended & campaigned for the supremacy of the Constitution. Today, politics of lies, deceit & allegations has been buried. People of Pakistan have won! God bless Pakistan (sic)."
Background
Citing national security reasons, Suri had disallowed the no-trust vote against the PTI chairman on Sunday, 3 April, and the Opposition had alleged that it was 'unconstitutional'.
Imran Khan was "de-notified" as prime minister on Sunday, after the National Assembly was dissolved, which means that he will not have the powers to make decisions like an elected head of the government.
Under Article 224 of the Constitution of Pakistan, he can retain his post for 15 days until a caretaker PM is appointed.
Khan has appealed to the people for fresh elections.
However, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) said on Thursday that general elections are not possible in Pakistan before October as "seven months are required to ensure a free, fair, and transparent polls".
(With inputs from GeoNews and Dawn.)
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