Pakistani Prime Minister Khan deposed by no-confidence vote

For days, security forces have been deployed in the capital Islamabad and roads to the parliament building have been blocked with shipping containers amid fears of widespread protests. Observers assumed that Khan, who had recently been criticized mainly for the bad economic situation and soaring prices in the country, would lose the vote and be forced to leave his post prematurely.

Khan said in a televised speech on Friday that he was disappointed but would accept the verdict. He again repeated the accusation that the US had colluded against him and his government. “I will not accept an outside government being imposed on Pakistan,” Khan said. However, he has not provided any evidence for this. The prime minister called for protests on Sunday.

The alliance of opposition politicians driving the no-confidence vote has accused Khan of poor governance and economic incompetence. Recently, prices for food, petrol or gas at the South Asian nuclear power plant of about 220 million inhabitants had soared. Khan has only a small majority in parliament.

The former cricketer came to power in the 2018 general election, which was overshadowed by allegations that the powerful military had manipulated the vote in her favor.

Khan had promised to rigorously fight corruption and establish an Islamic welfare state. Its popularity declined mainly due to enormous economic problems. After several disagreements, the army is said to have withdrawn its support.