Pakistan

Imran Khan de-notified as prime minister

PM to continue working as chief executive until caretaker PM is appointed on verbal instructions of president

Our Correspondent April 03, 2022

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan. PHOTO: TWITTER/PTI

ISLAMABAD:

The Cabinet Division on Sunday night issued a notification, de-notifying Imran Khan as the prime minister of Pakistan after the president dissolved the National Assembly after a summary was sent by the premier in the wake of a no-trust move against him.

In accordance with the Constitution, the president has not yet issued written instructions to Imran Khan to continue serving as the chief executive till the appointment of caretaker prime minister.

However, Imran Khan continues to act as the prime minister on the basis of verbal instructions without written instructions. Under Article 94 of the Constitution, the president may direct the prime minister to continue his work until the caretaker prime minister is appointed.

Also read: Deputy speaker dismisses no-trust motion against Imran, terms it against Article 5

According to Article 224(4) of the Constitution, the outgoing prime minister can continue his work till the appointment of the caretaker Prime Minister.

The Cabinet Division also issued a notification to dissolve the 52-member federal cabinet. The Cabinet Division also notified 25 federal ministers and four ministers of state.

The Cabinet Division also de-notified four advisers to the prime minister and 19 special assistants.

Earlier today, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion submitted by the joint opposition to dislodge the prime minister as he termed it "unconstitutional" under Article 5.

Also read: President Arif Alvi dissolves National Assembly on PM Imran’s advice

The ruling read by Suri prompted strong protests from the opposition benches who surrounded the desk of the speaker to record their protest.

Suri said the resolution could not be voted upon as it was allegedly supported by a foreign power and violated Article 5. Suri, who chaired the session in the absence of Asad Qaiser, also adjourned the session indefinitely.