Pakistan parliament adjourns, to reconvene on vote to oust Imran Khan, says Speaker
The Hindu
Members of Mr. Khan's party had suggested on Friday they would try to delay the vote as much as possible.
Pakistan's parliament abruptly adjourned before a planned vote on ousting Prime Minister Imran Khan, but the speaker said the assembly would reconvene later on Saturday as political uncertainty continued to grip the nuclear-armed country.
Members of Mr. Khan's party had suggested on Friday they would try to delay the vote as much as possible. The cricket star turned politician has vowed to "struggle" against any move to replace him, the latest twist in a crisis that has threatened political and economic stability in the South Asian nation of 220 million people.
Mr. Khan had acted unconstitutionally in blocking the no-confidence vote and dissolving parliament, the country's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, ordering parliament to reconvene.
Speaker Asad Qaiser, a Khan ally, said the session would resume at 12:30 p.m. (0730 GMT).
Before the adjournment, opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, expected to become Prime Minister if Mr. Khan is ousted, addressed the assembly, urging Qaiser to ensure the vote was carried out as a matter of priority.
The Speaker said he would implement the court order "in true letter and spirit".
Mr. Khan, 69, surged to power in 2018 with the military's support but recently lost his parliamentary majority when allies quit his coalition government. Opposition parties say he has failed to revive an economy battered by COVID-19 or fulfil promises to make Pakistan a corruption-free, prosperous nation respected on the world stage.
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