KARACHI: Crucial days are ahead for Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The National Assembly will consider the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan on Friday. Hints suggest that the no-confidence motion will be passed as MPs of Imran’s own party along with other constituent parties have turned against him. Meanwhile, it is also reported that the motion is not likely to be discussed due to the death of a member of the house. According to the Pakistan constitution, the voting should take place after three days of the debate, within seven days.

Despite the near certainty of losing power, Imran Khan has rejected the opposition’s demand to resign ahead of the no-confidence motion. Meantime, the Pakistan Supreme Court on Friday will continue its hearing on a plea submitted by Imran’s government seeking life time disqualification of 24 MLAs of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The plea was earlier heard by a large bench comprising of the chief justice and its next hearing was scheduled for Friday.

Pakistan’s next general election is in 2023. If Imran Khan resigns, elections are likely to be held earlier after forming a caretaker government by appointing a new prime minister. Imran is also trying to persuade the army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who had abandoned him. General Qamar Javed Bajwa along with four other senior generals had asked Imran Khan to resign after the end of two-day Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Islamabad.

Shahbaz Sharif to be next Pakistan Prime Minister?

Shahbaz Sharif (71), the opposition leader and the chief of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N), will be the next Prime Minister of the country, claimed party sources. He is the younger brother of former chief minister of Punjab province and former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.