ISLAMABAD: The prime minister won a vote of confidence from parliament on Saturday, securing 178 votes, including at least 20 from a dissident group of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), against the 172 required to win confidence, the speaker announced.
Shehbaz Sharif had convened parliament — which is currently being boycotted by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), the nation’s largest opposition political party — to prove his majority, after the Supreme Court cast doubt on his support.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari moved a resolution, declaring: “The National Assembly […] reposes its full confidence in the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as the Prime Minister of […] Pakistan.”
The confidence motion was passed by a simple voice vote with lawmakers rising from their seats to express their support.
Officials confirmed to Geo News broadcaster that Sharif came to this decision after holding consultations with MPs from the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition. He had a meeting with them at a luncheon earlier in the day.
According to The News, Sharif was supposed to hold the vote on Wednesday afternoon but deferred it until today.
The development comes days after the information minister denied reports that Sharif has decided to seek a vote of confidence. Marriyum Aurangzeb tweeted there had been no consultation on the topic and that there was no need for it, as the prime minister was “unanimously elected” as the Leader of the House in the National Assembly in April of last year.
Geo News claimed that members of the opposition could participate in the vote of confidence.
More details to follow