:No-confidence motion against Imran Khan

{{Further|2022 Pakistani political crisis}}

Under Article 58 of the constitution of Pakistan, a Prime Minister ceases to hold office if the majority of members of the National Assembly, equating to 172 members (out of 342), vote in favour of no-confidence.{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022 |title=Pakistan's No-Confidence Vote Should Respect Democratic Process |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/16/pakistans-no-confidence-vote-should-respect-democratic-process |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}} A successful vote means that cabinet would also be dissolved. When the motion is successful, a new prime minister is elected by the house, for which both the ruling party and opposition usually submit nomination papers of their chosen candidates.{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/949107-shahbaz-sharif-shah-mahmood-qureshis-to-contest-for-pms-seat|title=Shahbaz Sharif, Shah Mahmood Qureshi's to contest for PM's seat|work=The News|date=10 April 2022|access-date=11 April 2022}}

At the time of the motion of no confidence, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the ruling party led by the prime minister, had a centrist coalition government,{{Cite web |last=Bukhari |first=Gul |title=Imran Khan and the military: Allies today, foes tomorrow? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2018/8/8/imran-khan-and-the-military-allies-today-foes-tomorrow |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} with 176 members on the treasury seats, while the combined number of opposition seats stood at 162. The total votes required to remove the prime minister are 172. Once a no-confidence motion is submitted, the Speaker must call the house to order within two weeks, and voting must take place on the motion within one week after the house is called in order.{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Sana |date=8 March 2022 |title=Explainer: How does a no-confidence motion work? |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1678416 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

No prime minister in Pakistan has previously been removed through a motion of no-confidence. A vote of no confidence against the premier has been tabled on two occasions before. In 1989, Benazir Bhutto survived a vote of no confidence. In 2006, Shaukat Aziz also survived a motion against him when the opposition was able to muster only 136 votes, short of the required simple majority of 172.

On 11 February 2022, Fazal-ur-Rehman, president of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, announced his intent to bring a vote of no confidence. The announcement came after a meeting of PDM's parliamentary parties. The opposition parties also decided to contact the incumbent government allies to convince them to join the vote of no confidence. The announcement came after the Pakistan Peoples Party, led by former president Asif Ali Zardari and his son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, met Pakistan Muslim League (N)'s Shehbaz Sharif, who is Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, along with his niece and daughter of three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz.{{cite news |title=PDM announces no-trust motion against PM Imran's govt |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2343108/pdm-announces-no-trust-motion-against-pm-imrans-govt |work=The Express Tribune |date=11 February 2022}}

In response, the federal Minister for Information, Fawad Chaudhry, accused the opposition of corruption and termed the opposition's no-confidence move a ploy to turn attention away from corruption cases that many of the opposition leaders were facing due to the charges levied against them by the National Accountability Bureau.{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=11 February 2022 |title=PDM to table no-trust motion against govt, says Fazl |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1674532 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

The constitution of Pakistan allows for the removal of an incumbent prime minister if a no-confidence motion gains a simple majority. If parliament is not in session, opposition parties must also requisition the Speaker of the National Assembly to summon a session; once the requisition is submitted, the speaker has a maximum of 14 days to summon the session. Once the session is in attendance, the secretary of the house will circulate the motion for the no-confidence vote, which in this instance was moved to the next working day.{{cite news |title=Explainer: How does a no-confidence motion work? |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1678416 |work=Dawn |date=8 March 2022}}

Once the motion is moved, according to the rules of procedure, it cannot be voted up before three days or after seven days. The vote is conducted by an open vote by division, once the session takes place, a bell is rung to inform any parliamentarians that might be outside the assembly hall; later, the gates are closed. Those in favour of no-confidence exit the hall from one side, those not in favour exit the hall from another side; once the members of the assembly begin to leave, the counting procedure starts, everyone re-enters the hall once the hall is emptied and all members have displayed their vote by exiting the hall.

After the vote is complete, if the no-confidence motion is successful, the speaker of the house informs the president of Pakistan in writing and secretary issues a notification to the gazette.

According to a leaked classified Pakistani cable, at a March 7, 2022 meeting, a U.S. State Department representative stated that Khan's visit to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine "will be forgiven" if the no confidence vote against him was successful; otherwise, it would be "tough going ahead".{{Cite web |last1=Grim |first1=Ryan |author-link=Ryan Grim |last2=Hussain |first2=Murtaza |date=2023-08-09 |title=Secret Pakistan Cable Documents U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan |url=https://theintercept.com/2023/08/09/imran-khan-pakistan-cypher-ukraine-russia/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US}}

On 9 March 2022, members of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F)'s Ansar-ul-Islam, a uniform volunteer force entered Parliament Lodges. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) maintained that force will remain inside the lodges until the no-confidence motion was passed.{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2347312/jui-f-mna-among-12-arrested-as-police-storm-parliament-lodges|title=Over a dozen held as police storm Parliament Lodges|date=10 March 2022|website=The Express Tribune}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/940306-islamabad-police-launches-operation-in-parliament-lodges-arrests-dozens-of-ansar-ul-islam-workers|title=Islamabad police launches operation in Parliament Lodges, arrests several Ansar-ul-Islam workers|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/2022/03/10/police-launches-operation-inside-parliament-lodges/|title=Police launches operation inside parliament lodges|website=Latest News – The Nation|date=10 March 2022 }}

On 10 March 2022, Islamabad Police conducted an operation inside Parliament Lodges and arrested 19 people, including JUI-F MNAs Maulana Salahuddin Ayyubi and Muhammad Jamal ud Din for bringing Ansar-ul-Islam's workers in the Parliament Lodges.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-10 |title=Police conduct operation inside Parliament Lodges, arrest 10 |url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/03/10/police-conduct-operation-inside-parliament-lodges-arrest-10-including-jui-f-mna/ |access-date=2022-04-10 |website=Pakistan Today |language=en-US}}

Islamabad Inspector General of Police Muhammad Ahsan Younas suspended the officers in charge of D-Chowk under whose supervision Ansar-ul-Islam workers had entered the Parliament lodges.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1679290|title=Opposition in uproar after Islamabad police storm Parliament Lodges, arrest 19 including JUI-F MNAs|first=Javed|last=Hussain|date=10 March 2022|work=Dawn}}

Senator Kamran Murtaza along with other lawyers submitted the petition to the police station secretariat. The petition said that the policemen tortured them including Saad Rafiq, Syed Rafiullah and others, while the police did not have arrest warrants or the permission of the speaker.{{Cite web|url=https://pipanews.com/matter-of-operation-in-parliament-lodges-petition-for-fir-filed-in-police-station-secretariat/|title = Matter of operation in Parliament Lodges, Petition for FIR filed in Police Station Secretariat| date=11 March 2022 }}

The united opposition filed a privilege motion in the National Assembly against the operation, adding that a large contingent of police had infiltrated and the members of the National Assembly were arrested, beaten and their doors smashed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.24newshd.tv/10-Mar-2022/opposition-files-privilege-motion-in-na-over-police-operation-at-lodges|title = Opposition files privilege motion in NA over police operation at lodges|date = 10 March 2022}}

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said that JUI-F's MNA Salahuddin Ayubi was not arrested, only 20 people of the "militia" involved in creating unrest at the lodges were arrested.{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2347313/law-will-take-its-course-sheikh-rashid-warns-jui-f-protesters|title = Law will take its course', Sheikh Rashid warns JUI-F protesters|date = March 11, 2022}} The interior minister maintained that "it is the job of the state, not private militia to provided security to national buildings. The militia was dissolved in 2019, what you are trying to prove to bring them into the capital; we will not spare any private militia in the capital if seen in the uniform."{{Cite web|url=https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/2022/03/parliament-lodges-attack-sheikh-rasheed/|title = Rasheed: JUI-F militia seen in the capital won't be spared|date = Mar 11, 2022}}

File:Sindh House.jpg

Before vote of no confidence opposition claimed that they have group of dissidents lawmakers of then ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and they could have a successful vote of no confidence even without involving government allies.{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/world/pdm-chief-fazl-claims-support-of-180-mnas-for-no-trust-vote-against-imran-khan-govt/855820/|title=PDM chief Fazl claims support of 180 MNAs for a no-trust vote against Imran Khan govt|website=The Print| date=2 March 2022 }} However, the government denied and said that they have their lawmakers with them, and if opposition alliance will buy any of them this will be unconstitutional. This tug of war continued until 12 government lawmakers were found in Sindh House 'sanctuary'.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1680567/pti-dissidents-surface-in-sindh-house-sanctuary|title=PTI dissidents surface in Sindh House 'sanctuary'|website=The Dawn| date=18 March 2022 }} The Prime minister Imran Khan, claimed that MPs are bought with bags full of cash and this is an open horse-trading.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/03/16/pm-imran-positive-to-take-take-three-wickets-with-one-ball/|title=Opposition busy in horse-trading with 'bags full of money: PM Khan|website=Pakistan today| date=16 March 2022 }} However, the dissented law markers during their interaction with media denied the allegations and said that there was no money involved.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/03/17/raja-riaz-claims-24-pti-mnas-are-staying-in-sindh-house/|title=OTempers boil as dozens of PTI dissident MNAs found at Sindh House|website=Pakistan today| date=17 March 2022 }}

On 18 March 2022, PTI protesters stormed Sindh House in Islamabad and broke through the gate. Workers protested and chanted slogans against deviant members of parliament.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1680742|title=Storming of the Sindh House|first=Fahd|last=Husain|date=19 March 2022|website=DAWN.COM}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/405926-pml-n-ppp-warn-govt-against-taking-police-action-at-sindh-house|title=PML-N, PPP warn govt against taking police action at Sindh House|website=www.geo.tv}} Protesters held Ewer and sticks in their hands. Police arrested 12 people, including two PTI members of the National Assembly, Faheem Khan and Attaullah Niazi. The PTI MNAs were later released on personal bail.{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/903708/push-comes-to-shove/|title=Push comes to shove|date=19 March 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/645838-PTI-workers-break-gate-enter-Sindh-House-no-confidence-motion-PML-N-PPP-|title = Police detain two PTI MNAs, several others after protesting workers storm Sindh House| date=14 February 2008 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/942667-ides-of-march-pti-mnas-workers-storm-sindh-house|title = PTI MNAs, workers storm Sindh House}}

PPP's Yousaf Raza Gillani, Raja Pervez Ashraf and PML-N's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that if there was a police operation on Sindh House then Prime Minister Imran Khan and Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid would be responsible for the results. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that Prime Minister Khan was trying to prove his "third power" by creating an unstable situation through the use of force.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/942796-imran-trying-to-provoke-third-force-bilawal|title = Imran trying to provoke 'third force': Bilawal}}

On 27 March 2022, Jamhoori Watan Party's Shahzain Bugti resigned from the federal cabinet and joined forces with the PDM.{{cite news |date=28 March 2022 |title=Shahzain Bugti quits federal cabinet, joins PDM |work=Business Recorder |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40163418/shahzain-bugti-quits-federal-cabinet-joins-pdm}} On 28 March 2022, four out of five legislators of the Balochistan Awami Party, an ally party of the PTI government, announced quitting the ruling alliance in the federal government, and joined the opposition.{{cite news |date=29 March 2022 |title=In a blow to govt, four BAP MNAs join opposition |work=The News International |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/945560-in-a-blow-to-govt-four-bap-mnas-join-opposition}} On 30 March 2022, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, another key ally of the PTI-led coalition government, formally announced that it was joining the opposition ranks. Meanwhile, MQM-P members Farogh Naseem (law minister) and Syed Aminul Haque (IT & telecommunication minister) resigned from the cabinet.{{cite news |date=30 March 2022 |title=No-trust vote: MQM-P formally breaks rank with govt 'in interest of Pakistan' |work=Dawn |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682450/no-trust-vote-mqm-p-formally-breaks-rank-with-govt-in-interest-of-pakistan}}

As pressure for the no-confidence vote built up, the prime minister and members of his cabinet came up with a multi-prong approach to tackle public opinion and reverse the pressure on the opposition. The government has planned massive public outreach rallies to turn public opinion in its favour; at these rallies, the prime minister tackled both domestic and foreign narratives.{{Cite web |title=PM Imran Khan starts PR campaign to counter no-trust plans |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/934659-mandi-bahauddin-rally-pm-imran-khan-starts-pr-campaign-today-to-counter-no-trust-plans |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

Some disgruntled and dissident members of the ruling party allied themselves with the opposition; according to the known dissidents, total government assembly members to vote against their party's head is between 24 and 33.{{Cite web |last=Wasim |first=Amir |date=18 March 2022 |title=PTI dissidents surface in Sindh House 'sanctuary' |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1680567 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} While the dissenting lawmakers have been termed as 'turncoats'{{Cite web |last=Azeem |first=Kalbe Ali {{!}} Munawer |date=19 March 2022 |title=Hunting for turncoats, PTI workers breach Sindh House |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1680730 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} for money and threatened,{{Cite web |title=Video: Alleged PTI activists abuse, threaten dissident MNA Noor Alam Khan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/942926-video-alleged-pti-workers-threaten-dissident-mna-noor-alam-khan |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}} the government has issued them show-cause notices.

On 18 March 2022, PTI workers stormed Sindh House, where most of the dissident lawmakers where staying, under the leadership of loyalist PTI lawmakers Faheem Khan and Attaullah Niazi.

While addressing a political rally at Mailsi, Prime Minister Khan called the opposition leaders as cowards and corrupt. He then went on to say that Nawaz Sharif has faked his illness to run away from Pakistan and that it was one of his biggest mistake to let Nawaz Sharif go to London. Khan also accused Shehbaz Sharif, Nawaz Sharif's brother and the leader of the opposition, as a 'boot licker', a derogatory reference to a person who makes back channel deals with the country's powerful military establishment for power. Referring to former President Asif Ali Zardari, Khan reminded the crowd that the former president was known as "Mr. 10%",{{Cite news |date=2 May 2013 |title=Profile: Asif Ali Zardari |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16066406 |access-date=20 March 2022}} and he described the former president as the biggest illness of Pakistan. Fazal-ur-Rehman, another opposition leader who is not a member of the national assembly but is the president of the opposition alliance, was termed 'Diesel', the Prime minister jokingly mentioned that 'the Chief of Army Staff had asked him not to call Fazal ur Rehman 'Diesel', but he couldn't do anything since the public has named him diesel already'.{{Cite web |title=Gen Bajwa has asked me to not call Fazlur Rehman 'diesel': PM Imran Khan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/940544-gen-bajwa-has-asked-me-to-not-call-fazlur-rehman-diesel-pm-imran-khan |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

Prime Minister Khan warned the opposition to be ready to face what he will do to them, the opposition, once he defeats the vote of no confidence.{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=6 March 2022 |title='Ready for what I will do?' PM Imran warns opposition of consequences if no-confidence move fails |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1678585 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

On 1 March 2022, Khan met leaders of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) to discuss the political situation in the country, with the Prime Minister asking Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain to not take up the opposition's offer to join the no-confidence motion.{{Cite web |title=PM Imran Khan meets Chaudhrys of PML-Q in Lahore |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/402270-pm-imran-khan-to-meet-chaudhrys-of-pml-q |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/403780-opposition-likely-to-move-no-confidence-motion-against-pm-imran-khan-within-24-hours-sources|title=Opposition submits no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan|website=www.geo.tv}}

On 9 March 2022, the prime minister met leaders of the MQM-P, at their headquarters in Karachi MQM-P's traditional stronghold. While talking to media, MQM-P leaders mentioned that the move of no confidence was not discussed and all their options were open.{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=9 March 2022 |title=In a bid to reinforce trust, PM Imran meets MQM-P, GDA leaders in Karachi |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1679099 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} On 18 March, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Convener of MQM-P, said in a TV interview that Khan should resign to save the PTI government.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2022 |title=PM Imran Khan's survival seems unlikely: Khalid Maqbool |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2348561/pm-imran-khans-survival-seems-unlikely-khalid-maqbool-siddiqui |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}

On 27 March 2022, the PTI staged a political rally at the parade ground in Islamabad, which it named the "Amar Bil Maroof rally". The rally started with a speech by KP Provincial President Pervez Khattak. Sindh President Ali Zaidi, Punjab President Shafqat Mahmood and PTI Balochistan President Qasim Suri addressed the gathering. The rally was held a day before the no-confidence motion filed against him was tabled in the National Assembly.{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/imran-khan-promises-big-surprise-in-sundays-amar-bil-maroof-rally-1.86698112|title=Imran Khan promises big 'surprise' in Sunday's 'Amar Bil Maroof' rally|website=gulfnews.com|date=24 March 2022 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/27/pakistan-islamabad-rally-imran-khan|title=Thousands rally in Pakistani capital as pressure grows on PM Khan|website=www.aljazeera.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682104|title=PM Imran says foreign money being used against his govt, claims to have evidence in writing|date=27 March 2022|website=DAWN.COM}}

In his address, Khan waved a letter to the people alleging that a conspiracy was being hatched to change his government with the money coming from abroad and some Pakistanis in this conspiracy unknowingly and some deliberately are being used. He further said: "We have known for months that there is a conspiracy against the government."{{Cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682104|title=PM Imran says 'foreign-funded conspiracy' out to topple his govt, claims to have evidence in writing|date=27 March 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2349918/foreign-powers-behind-conspiracy-to-overthrow-my-govt-says-pm|title = Foreign powers behind 'conspiracy' to overthrow my govt: PM|date = 27 March 2022}}

{{main|Lettergate}}

File:Vladimir Putin and Imran Khan (2022-02-24) 01.jpg on the day Russia invaded Ukraine during Khan's visit to Russia in February 2022]]

Khan and his government alleged that the United States government threatened Pakistan with 'consequences' if the vote of no-confidence were to fail and Khan were to remain in office, and that 'all would be forgiven' if Khan were removed. After he was removed from office, Khan asked US president Joe Biden, "by indulging in a regime change conspiracy to remove a democratically elected PM of a country of over 220 million people to bring in a puppet PM, do you think you have lessened or increased the anti-American sentiment in Pakistan?" Khan claimed that Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), and Asif Ali Zardari, president of the Pakistan Peoples Party, were also part of the conspiracy.{{Cite web |title=Imran Khan accuses Biden administration for being involved in 'regime change conspiracy' |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/955089-imran-khan-accuses-biden-administration-for-being-involved-in-regime-change-conspiracy |website=www.thenews.com.pk}}

The basis of it was a diplomatic cable sent by Pakistan's ambassador to the US, Asad Majeed Khan, after his meeting with US State Department official Donald Lu in early March.{{Cite web |date=5 April 2022 |title=Lu evades question about Imran's allegations |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683520 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield responded to Khan's allegation of a conspiracy by saying "there is absolutely no truth to that allegation".{{Cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=Pakistani PM steps up criticism of west as confidence vote looms |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/pakistan-imran-khan-criticism-west-confidence-vote |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Imran Khan claims US threatened him and wants him ousted as Pakistan PM |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/31/imran-khan-address-pakistan-faces-no-confidence-vote |access-date=3 April 2022 |agency=The Guardian |date=31 March 2022}}

The U.S. government had supposedly been frustrated when Khan visited President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on the day of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Amid condemnation from European diplomats, Khan responded{{Cite web |last=Dawn.com |date=1 March 2022 |title=Foreign envoys urge Pakistan to condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine during emergency UNGA session |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1677704 |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} by saying to a public rally "Are we your slaves that we would do anything you say?" and claiming hypocrisy due to the same criticism not being given to India, who had also refused to condemn Russia's invasion. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Khan Suri would ultimately use this reason to unilaterally dismiss the motion of no confidence.

Pakistan's military, while terming the contents of the cable as containing "undiplomatic language", disagreed on whether there had been a foreign conspiracy.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684983|title=NSC statement did not include the word 'conspiracy': DG ISPR|work=Dawn|date=14 April 2022|access-date=21 April 2022}} The military also publicly maintained that its stance on the political crisis was apolitical. The Pakistani government delivered a diplomatic démarche to the US government protesting against the alleged interference.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682833/strong-reply-to-be-delivered-to-us-says-nsc|title=Strong reply to be delivered to US, says NSC|work=Dawn|date=1 April 2022|access-date=21 April 2022|first=Baqir Sajjad|last=Syed}}

Russia supported Khan's claims and slammed the US for the alleged interference in Pakistan's affairs for its "own selfish purposes".{{cite news |title=Russia slams US attempt at'interference' in Pakistan affairs |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/947779-russia-slams-us-attempt-at-interference-in-pakistan-affairs |work=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}

On 23 May 2022, Khan suggested that US State Department official Donald Lu be fired for interfering with Pakistan's domestic politics and "for bad manners and sheer arrogance." Khan added, "I had perfectly good relationship with the Trump administration. It's only when the Biden administration came, and it coincided with what was happening in Afghanistan. And for some reason, which I still don't know, they never got in touch with me."{{Cite web |date=2022-05-23 |title=Exclusive: Pakistan's Imran Khan doubles down on unfounded claim that US plotted his downfall|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/23/asia/pakistan-imran-khan-exclusive-interview-intl-hnk/index.html|website=CNN |language=en}}

{{main|2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis}}

In an address to the nation on 3 April 2022, Prime Minister Khan announced that he had advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve assemblies following the dismissal of the no-confidence motion. Hence, on the same day, the president dissolved the National Assembly on the prime minister's advice under Article 58 of the Constitution.{{cite news |title=PM Imran says have advised president to dissolve assemblies |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683230/pm-imran-says-have-advised-president-to-dissolve-assemblies |work=Dawn |date=3 April 2022}}

On the same day, the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) took a suo moto of the ongoing situation and a three-member bench of the supreme court heard the case.{{cite news |title=CJP takes suo motu notice of situation in country after dissolution of NA |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683235/cjp-takes-suo-motu-notice-of-situation-in-country-after-dissolution-of-na |work=Dawn |date=3 April 2022}} On 7 April 2022, the dismissal of the no-confidence motion without a vote and the subsequent dissolution of the National Assembly was ruled unconstitutional by the supreme court.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683857/supreme-court-restores-national-assembly-orders-no-confidence-vote-to-be-held-on-saturday|title=Supreme Court restores National Assembly, orders no-confidence vote to be held on Saturday|first=Haseeb|last=Bhatti|work=Dawn|date=7 April 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/7/pakistan-court-rules-blocking-vote-to-oust-khan-unconstitutional|title=Pakistan court rules blocking vote to oust Khan unconstitutional|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=7 April 2022|access-date=7 April 2022}}

The SCP ordered that the National Assembly session be reconvened at no later than 10:30 a.m. on 9 April and may not be prorogued until the no-confidence vote is held.

Afterwards, Khan said he accepted the court's decision but urged people to come out and protest against what he called an "imported government".{{cite news |title=I accept Supreme Court's decision, says PM Imran in address to nation |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684027/i-accept-supreme-courts-decision-says-pm-imran-in-address-to-nation |access-date=8 April 2022 |publisher=Dawn}}

• 25 March 2022: The session of parliament started and after prayer for deceased parliamentarians, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar immediately adjourned the session till 28 March 2022 in accordance with parliamentary convention.{{Cite web |last=Gurmani |first=Dawn com {{!}} Nadir |date=25 March 2022 |title=NA session adjourned without tabling of no-trust motion against PM |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1681773 |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}
• 28 March 2022: After 161 lawmakers had voted in favour of tabling of the resolution, Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif tabled the no-confidence motion against Khan. Subsequently, the deputy speaker adjourned the session until 4:00 pm on 31 March.{{cite news |title=NA session adjourned till March 31 after tabling of no-confidence resolution against PM Imran |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682250 |work=Dawn |date=28 March 2022}}
• 31 March 2022: The National Assembly session to debate the no-confidence motion against Khan was adjourned till 11:30 am on 3 April 2022, minutes after it began.{{cite news |title=No-trust motion: NA session adjourned till Sunday after opposition's protest |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1682724 |work=Dawn |date=31 March 2022}}
• 3 April 2022: National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri dismissed the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan, stating that it was against Article 5 of the Constitution which pledges "loyalty to the State".{{cite news |title=NA speaker dismisses no-trust move against PM Imran, terms it contradictory to Article 5 |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1683067/na-speaker-dismisses-no-trust-move-against-pm-imran-terms-it-contradictory-to-article-5 |work=Dawn |date=3 April 2022}} Suri cited "foreign interference" in his ruling to dismiss the motion.
• 9 April 2022: A meeting of the National Assembly was called and held around 12:00 pm. During the day, the session was adjourned thrice amid filibustering by members of the treasury benches. Thus, the no-confidence motion was not immediately put to vote in the National Assembly.{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Dawn com {{!}} Fahad |date=9 April 2022 |title=No-confidence vote: Speaker adjourns session yet again as opposition clamours for voting to begin |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684168 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} Minutes before midnight, Speaker Asad Qaiser resigned from his position.{{Cite web |date=9 April 2022 |title=Pak political crisis LIVE updates: Pak National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Dy speaker Qasim Suri resign |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-political-crisis-live-updates-april-9-2022-101649476119876.html |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} Moments before midnight, Ayaz Sadiq laid out the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly.{{Cite web |last=Chaudhry |first=Dawn com {{!}} Fahad |date=9 April 2022 |title=No-confidence vote: NA Speaker Asad Qaiser resigns, Ayaz Sadiq begins voting process |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684168 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}} At midnight, the National Assembly was adjourned to meet on 12:02 AM on 10 April 2022.
• 10 April 2022: The no-confidence motion passes with 174 votes, a majority in the National Assembly, which resulted in Imran Khan losing the confidence of the house and ceasing to hold office of prime minister.

On 11 April 2022, the National Assembly held an election to decide the new prime minister. The outgoing ruling party PTI initially nominated former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi for the position. Shehbaz Sharif, former Chief Minister of Punjab and brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, was elected unopposed.{{cite news |title=Pakistan assembly elects Shehbaz Sharif as new prime minister |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/11/pakistan-assembly-elects-shehbaz-sharif-as-new-prime-minister |access-date=11 April 2022 |work=The Guardian |date=11 April 2022}}

Imran Khan called for a mass rally. Protests were held in several cities in Pakistan upon PTI's call,{{Cite web |first1=Shakeel|last1=Qarar |first2=Imran|last2=Gabol|last3=Sirajuddin|first4=Imtiaz|last4=Ali|first5=Umar|last5=Bacha |date=2022-04-10 |title='Freedom struggle': Protests across country following Imran Khan's ouster |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1684346 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=dawn.com |language=en}} where attendees allegedly numbered up to the ten thousands in some areas.{{Cite web |title=Protests in Pakistan over Khan's removal, Sharif set to be new PM |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/11/imran-khan-removal-as-pm-triggers-protests-across-pakistan |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}} Overseas Pakistanis also reportedly took part in demonstrations outside of Pakistan.{{Cite web |title=Imran Khan Supporters Protest Outside Nawaz Sharif's London Home |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ruckus-outside-nawaz-sharifs-london-home-as-imran-khan-supporters-protest-2876563 |access-date=2022-04-11 |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite news |date=2022-04-11 |title=Protest in Dubai against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's ouster |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/protest-in-dubai-against-imran-khan-s-ouster-122041100091_1.html |access-date=2022-04-11}}{{cite AV media |date=10 April 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZS6k25NUE |title=Melbourne Australia Protest For Imran Khan, Huge Pakistanis Protest in Australia |publisher=Naya Pakistan |via=YouTube |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411101440/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZS6k25NUE |archive-date=11 April 2022 |url-status=live}} After "#Imported_Government_Rejected" ({{langx|ur|امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور#}}) trended on Twitter,{{Cite web |title=What's Trending on Twitter |url=https://todaytagz.com |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=todaytagz.com |language=en}} a data scientist who had previously claimed that 76% of PML-N's vice president's Twitter followers were fake,{{Cite web |title=76% of Maryam Nawaz's Twitter followers are fake, new research reveals |url=https://www.worldnewsdna.com/2020/10/76-of-maryam-nawazs-twitter-followers.html |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=World News DNA}} was allegedly "abducted" to be asked how the trend came to be. On Twitter, he claimed it came about "completely organically".{{cite tweet |author=meddy tweets |user=meddytweets |number=1513622562953179143 |date=11 April 2022 |title=No recipe, it was pure handwork Millions of people stand against foreign invasion https://t.co/kk4oRIcOcq |language=en |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412083559/https://twitter.com/meddytweets/status/1513622562953179143 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |author=meddy tweets |user=meddytweets |number=1513629559169630226 |date=11 April 2022 |title=نہیں بہت ٹیکنیکل باتیں کیں ہیں سوشل میڈیا الگورتھمز کو سمجھنے کی کوشش کی وغیرہ ایک دفعہ تو مجھے بھی لگا کہ ٹانگ شانگ توڑ دی تو عید خراب ہوجائے گی. https://t.co/m60dzdyAYJ |language=ur |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412083555/https://twitter.com/meddytweets/status/1513629559169630226 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |url-status=live}} PTI's Dr. Shahbaz Gill alleged the PTA of slowing down internet in Islamabad to "censor" videos of the protests.{{cite tweet |author=Dr. Shahbaz GiLL |user=SHABAZGIL |number=1513238481283141636 |date=10 April 2022 |title=PTA internet is blocked in Islamabad. don't do this internet dead slow so that videos can't be transmitted |language=en |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412083552/https://twitter.com/shabazgil/status/1513238481283141636 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |url-status=live}}

A "smear campaign" against the Pakistan Army was "taken notice" of on 12 April 2022 during the 79th Formation Commanders Conference, which was held at GHQ Rawalpindi under the chairmanship of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa. In the conference, formation commanders expressed confidence in the decisions of the military leadership for upholding the constitution and law and reportedly took "stern notice of the propaganda campaign" against the Pakistan Army in the wake of Khan's ouster following the no-confidence motion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/949693-army-reacts-strongly-to-propaganda-to-malign-institution|title=Army takes note of smear campaign|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/pakistan-army-takes-notice-of-smear-campaign/|title=Pakistan Army takes notice of smear campaign|date=April 12, 2022|website=ARY NEWS}} The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested six people allegedly involved in a well-organized campaign on social media against the Pakistan Army.{{Cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/12-Apr-2022/political-activist-six-others-arrested-for-smear-campaign-against-pakistan-army|title=Political activist, six others arrested for running smear campaign against Pakistan Army|date=April 12, 2022|website=Daily Pakistan Global}}{{Cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/2352186/fia-arrests-five-over-smear-campaign-against-army|title=FIA rounds up five anti-army propagandists|date=April 12, 2022|website=The Express Tribune}} By May 26, protests had escalated significantly, with the interior ministry authorizing the deployment of the army in the Red Zone.{{Citation |title=Army called in to protect Islamabad's Red Zone from PTI marchers |date=25 May 2022 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2358337/army-called-in-to-protect-islamabads-red-zone-from-pti-marchers |publication-date=May 26, 2022 |publisher=The Express Tribune}}

On 9 April 2022, BBC Urdu reported{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-61055639|title=سنیچر کی شب وزیراعظم ہاؤس میں آخر ہوا کیا؟|newspaper=BBC News اردو }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/urdu/pakistan-61055639|title=سنیچر کی شب وزیراعظم ہاؤس میں آخر ہوا کیا؟|newspaper=BBC News اردو}} that Imran Khan had allegedly decided to sack the army chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, which led to his government's ouster.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/949064-ispr-rejects-bbcs-baseless-report-on-pm-house-events|title=ISPR rejects BBC's 'baseless' report on PM House events|website=www.thenews.com.pk}} In response, the ISPR said: "The news published in BBC Urdu is totally baseless and full of lies." It added: "This general propaganda news does not mention any credible, authoritative and relevant sources and is a violation of basic journalistic ethics. And there is no truth in this fake news and it clearly appears to be part of a systematic misinformation campaign." The ISPR stated the matter was being taken up with BBC officials.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2022/04/10/bbc-report-on-attempt-to-block-bajwas-sacking-pack-of-lies-ispr/|title=BBC report on attempt to block Bajwa's sacking 'pack of lies': ISPR|date=10 April 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/10-Apr-2022/ispr-terms-bbc-urdu-report-totally-baseless-and-a-pack-of-lies|title = ISPR terms BBC Urdu report 'totally baseless and a pack of lies'|date = 10 April 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://arynews.tv/ispr-denies-baseless-bbc-story-related-to-events-at-pm-house/|title = ISPR denies 'baseless' BBC story related to events at PM House|date = 10 April 2022}}

The hashtag "#SurrenderBajwa" also trended on Twitter.{{Cite web |title=Pakistan {{!}} Twitter trending hashtag and topics today {{!}} trends24.in |url=https://xtrendingtoday.com/pakistan/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240719111957/https://xtrendingtoday.com/pakistan/ |archive-date=2024-07-19 |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=xtrendingtoday |language=en}} PTI claimed that the house of Dr Arsalan Khalid, former focal person to PM Imran Khan on digital media, was raided overnight,{{Cite web |title=House of Imran Khan's digital media team lead raided: PTI |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/410599-house-of-imran-khans-digital-media-team-lead-raided-pti |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Jamal |first=Sana |date=14 April 2022 |title=Pakistan: 8 arrested over social media campaign against institutions |work=Gulf News |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/pakistan/pakistan-8-arrested-over-social-media-campaign-against-institutions-1.87193224 |access-date=21 April 2022 |quote=Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested at least eight people as it launched a crackdown on social media activists who it says have been allegedly involved in a smear campaign against institutions, especially the army.}} and his family's phones and laptops were confiscated. Social media influencer Waqas Amjad claimed on Twitter that the police raided both of his homes.{{cite tweet|number=1513661753128898565|user=waqas_amjaad|title=پہلے پولیس نے میرے ID کارڈ والے ایڈریس پر چھاپا مارا سول کپڑوں میں پھر دوسرے پتہ پر جہاں میں رہتا ہوں۔ اللہ کا شکر ہے کہ وہاں سے نکل گیا تھا،ن لیگ اوچھے ہتھکنڈے استعمال کر کے ہماری آواز دبانا چاہتی ہے قصور بس عمران خان سے تعلق ہے اب کچھ دن بعد ملاقات ہوگی۔ دعا میں یاد رکھیں|author=Waqas Amjad ( محترم )|date=11 April 2022|access-date=14 April 2022|language=ur|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412084420/https://twitter.com/waqas_amjaad/status/1513661753128898565|archive-date=12 April 2022|url-status=live}}

The head of opposition parties alliance PDM Maulana Fazlur Rehman claimed that Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa had guided all political parties regarding the no-confidence vote against former prime minister Imran Khan.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-15 |title=Gen Faiz, Gen Bajwa orchestrated no-confidence move against Imran, claims Fazl |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1814484 |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=DAWN.COM |language=en}}

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