Imran Khan was dismissed on Sunday as Pakistan prime minister after losing a no-confidence vote in parliament following weeks of political turmoil.
It’s not yet known when a new premier will be chosen, but Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Shehbaz Sharif was almost certain to be picked to lead the country.
No prime mister has ever served a full term in Pakistan.
174 lawmakers voted in favour of the motion, “consequently the vote of no confidence has passed”.
Khan, 69, tried everything he could to stay in power – including dissolving parliament and calling a fresh election.
There was drama right until the midnight deadline ordered by the Supreme Court, with the speaker of the assembly – a Khan loyalist – resigning at the last minute.
“We will put a balm on the wounds of this nation.”
Shehbaz Sharif
Khan lost his majority in the 342-seat assembly through defections by coalition partners and members of his own party.
Huge task ahead
The next Prime Minister has a huge task ahead – soaring inflation, a feeble rupee and crippling debt.
Tempers rose earlier when Sharif insisted a vote be held immediately – as ordered by the Supreme Court on Thursday – but Khan loyalists demanded discussion first on their leader’s claims there had been foreign interference in the process.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi lashed out at the country’s opposition.
“History will expose all those, who set the stage for this move to topple the government,” he said, to chants of “vote, vote” from the opposition.
Khan insists he has been the victim of a “regime change” conspiracy, pointing to the United States.
