Sharif Gains 180 Votes, Securing Simple Majority in Pakistan’s Lower House of Parliament
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has won a vote of confidence from the national assembly, securing 180 votes against the 172 required for a simple majority in the lower house of parliament.
The move is seen as a major victory for the governing coalition as opposition parties had been calling for a general election. Sharif thanked his party members and allies for supporting him, acknowledging that if parliament reached a decision obliging the government and cabinet, he must respect it.
PTI has been attempting to force early elections, while the governing coalition is calling for polls in October. However, the Supreme Court has ordered provincial elections in Punjab for May 14, which the government is resisting due to a shortage of financial resources and the country’s deteriorating security situation.
Pakistan’s constitution requires that elections be held within 90 days of the dissolution of an assembly.