Though a chapter of political uncertainty is over with the not-so-smooth passage of a no-confidence motion against the Imran Khan government, the new government should brace for challenges. After a day-long session of the National Assembly and many delays, the vote of no-confidence against Imran Khan was conducted past midnight. In the many events that led up to the vote, the speaker and deputy speaker resigned; party vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi gave a fiery speech in which he questioned the motives of the then opposition and put forward the message that still Imran Khan was on the right side of history and the opposition requested many times for the vote to start. It was only after the resignation of the speaker of the House, Asad Qaiser, that the seat was taken by Ayaz Sadiq of the PML-N and the house proceeded with the voting. All PTI MNAs left the house in protest except Ali Muhammad Khan and PTI dissidents were not allowed to vote.
Out of 342 members of the National Assembly, 174 members voted against the now-former prime minister Imran Khan. After the voting, the leader of the opposition and now a candidate for the premiership, Shehbaz Sharif addressed the house.
In his address, Shehbaz Sharif in a pardoning mood stated that a grudge will be kept against the former government and it is now a thing of the past. He also thanked former president Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and others who supported the Pakistan Democratic Movement. He said that this alliance will prove to be fruitful for Pakistan in the future as they will all work together to make Pakistan great again. Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also took to the stage and congratulated the house on the success of the no-confidence vote. He also congratulated the house for coming back to Purana Pakistan.
Now that Imran Khan is no longer in power and those who have labelled themselves as saviours of Pakistan have taken the center stage, there will be a lot expected from them by the citizens of the country. The new government, although formed by all those who have previously ruled Pakistan, will have to prove itself once again. The Imran Khan government made several blunders and this new government will be expected to clean up the mess of the previous one.
People have attached a lot of hopes and expectations with the new set-up. If the new government is able to bring down the soaring inflation rates and provide people with amenities the PTI government could not, they will be written down in history as the rightful leaders of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. It is to be noted, however, that a lot of damage has been done by the previous government therefore it will take time to pick up the pieces but such seasoned politicians who have years of experience in running the country will be able to do it swiftly. Also, it is hoped that the new government will carry on the landmark projects of the Imran Khan government, such as Sehat Card, Ehsaas Kafalat Programme, the Local Government Act, and other so many reforms. The previous government’s austerity drive should continue.
The new government must perform well.
