What is the issue?
The political crisis in Pakistan continued as opposition leaders raged against the blocking of a no confidence motion and the subsequent dissolution of the parliament.
What is the cause of the no confidence motion?
- The opposition is challenging the latest moves by Khan, who came to power in 2018, contending that they are the plans of him to stay in power.
- The opposition has also accused him of economic mismanagement.
- Khan’s ally and Pakistan’s deputy parliament speaker dismissed the motion to sidestep a no-confidence vote that Khan appeared certain to lose.
- Clause (1) of Article 5 was quoted to argue that the no-confidence motion submitted to the Speaker went against the provisions of the Article.
- Imran Khan advised the President to dissolve the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies and call fresh elections.
- Until then, a caretaker government under him would be in charge.
- The opposition claims the deputy speaker had no constitutional authority to throw out the no-confidence vote.
- The developments marked the latest in an escalating dispute between Khan and the opposition.
What is Article 5 of Pakistan’s Constitution?
- Article 5 titled ‘Loyalty to the State and Obedience to the Constitution’ has two clauses.
- Clause (1) states that loyalty to the State is the basic duty of every citizen.
- Clause 2 states that obedience to the Constitution and law is the inviolable obligation of every citizen wherever he may be and every other person for the time being within Pakistan.
- It was said that the no-confidence motion was a conspiracy hatched by a “powerful country” that did not want Pakistan to have an independent foreign policy.
- During another address to the nation, Khan had named the United States as the country behind the conspiracy.
What was the different opinions regarding the recent developments in Pakistan ?
- Opposition- The decision to cancel the no-confidence vote angered opposition parties and they have appealed the decision in court.
- Army- Pakistan Army countered Imran Khan's allegations of a "foreign conspiracy" involving the US.
- The Army has said that a wrong impression was given about the military leadership endorsing the view of the government.
- Election commission- Pakistan's election commission has expressed its inability to hold general elections within three months due to legal, constitutional and logistical challenges.
- UN Secretary-General- Antonio Guterres underscores the utmost importance of respecting democratic processes and resolving differences in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan.
- Pakistan Chief Justice- He held that the speaker cannot reject the no-confidence motion even if he refers to Article 5 of the constitution.
- The Supreme Court of Pakistan however is yet to deliver a verdict.
References
- https://www.timesnownews.com/world/pakistan-political-crisis-april-5-updates-imran-khan-no-confidence-motion-bilawal-bhutto-article-90653356
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-imran-khan-no-confidence-article-5-7850801/
