Imran Khan removed as Pakistan PM — but will remain in office temporarily

Imran Khan has been removed as the prime minister of Pakistan with immediate effect. 

This is according to a circular issued by the Pakistan cabinet secretary on Sunday.

“Consequent upon dissolution of the National Assembly by the President of Pakistan, in terms of Article 58(1) read with Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, vide Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs’ SRO No. 487(1)/2022, dated 3rd April, 2022, Mr. Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi ceased to hold the Office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, with immediate effect. Imran Khan officially removed as Prime Minister of Pakistan with immediate effect,” the circular reads.

However, based on Pakistan’s laws, Imran Khan is expected to remain in office — without powers — for 15 days until the appointment of a caretaker prime minister.

Arif Alvi, Pakistan’s president, alluded to the law in a tweet posted on his official account late on Sunday.

The development comes a few hours after the Pakistan presidency dissolved the country’s parliament, in what is believed to be an attempt to help Khan avoid a planned no-confidence vote.

The parliament had earlier concluded plans to move forward with the vote — and the odds were not in Khan’s favour, having recently lost his political majority.

The country’s opposition has said the dissolution of the national assembly will not be accepted, especially since it came amid the pending no-confidence motion against Khan.

The embattled prime minister had alleged that the plan to remove him was backed by the United States, describing it as “interference in domestic politics”.