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Pakistan crisis: Imran Khan calls emergency cabinet meeting; govt files review plea in SC

Voting on no-trust motion to take place tonight

Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) light up their mobile phones and chant slogans in support of  Prime Minister Imran Khan during a rally in Islamabad | Reuters Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) light up their mobile phones and chant slogans in support of Prime Minister Imran Khan during a rally in Islamabad | Reuters

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet ministers late on Saturday night even as the voting on the no-confidence motion against his government is all set to take place in the National Assembly.

Reports said some crucial decisions are expected at the meeting scheduled to take place at the PM House in Islamabad at 9 pm.

Khan's decision to call the cabinet meeting has surprised many as his government has little chance to sail through the no-confidence vote, the proceedings of which are expected to be completed by 8 pm.

In his address to the nation on Friday, Khan had said he would not tolerate the installation of a "foreign government" in Pakistan and that he would turn to the public for support if such a thing happens. 

“All the people should come out of their houses to protest against the ‘foreign-funded drama’ and I will be there with you as I will never accept this foreign conspiracy against Pakistan,” the prime minister was quoted as saying by Geo TV.

Some reports suggested that the prime minister may delay the opposition parties' no-confidence vote by making his Members of National Assembly make lengthy speeches on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the government has filed a review petition against the Supreme Court's decision to set aside the deputy speaker's April 3 ruling. The review petition, filed through Dr Babar Awan and Azhar Siddique, named the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Supreme Court Bar Association, Sindh High Court Bar Association and the Sindh Bar Council as respondents.

In a landmark 5-0 verdict on Thursday, a five-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial ruled that NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri's ruling rejecting a no-confidence motion against Khan was "contrary to the Constitution”.

The opposition parties need 172 members in the 342-member house to orchestrate the downfall of Khan's government. They have garnered the support of more than the needed strength with the help of some allies of the ruling coalition and rebels from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of the 69-year-old cricketer-turned politician.

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