Pakistan HIGHLIGHTS | Imran Khan de-notified as Prime Minister of Pakistan

As per a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat, Imran Khan has officially been de-notified as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

He will continue to hold office until the appointment of a caretaker Prime Minister, as per Article 224 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

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Imran Khan is no more prime minister if Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/DkwM4JlQP8

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) April 3, 2022

Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hit back at Imran Khan after the latter alleged that 'foreign conspiracy' is behind regime change in Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted, "The Foreign conspiracy was NCM (no-confidence motion), electoral reforms and early elections??? Then why did you implement this supposed conspiracy by unconstitutionally trying to dissolve parliament and call early elections !"

The Foreign conspiracy was NCM, electoral reforms & early elections??? Then why did you implement this supposed conspiracy by unconstitutionally trying to dissolve parliament and call early elections ! https://t.co/igaY8UWJ0z

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) April 3, 2022

While hearing a plea challenging the dissolution of the country's National Assembly, Pakistan's Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said on Sunday that all orders and actions initiated by Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi are subject to the orders of Pakistan's Supreme Court.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice on Sunday adjourned the hearing into the matter for one day.

Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered all parties, including the opposition, to avoid taking any unconstitutional measures until the bench delivers a verdict on the plea challenging President Arif Alvi's decision to dissolve the National Assembly on the advice of PM Imran Khan.

The National Assembly was dissolved minutes after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri blocked a no-confidence motion brought against PM Imran Khan's PTI government.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan tweeted, "Astonished by reaction of PDM to our calling for general elections. They have been crying hoarse about how our government has failed and lost support of the people, so why the fear of elections now? Democrats go to the people for support."

He added, "Isn't it better for PDM to accept elections rather than being part of a foreign conspiracy for regime change; and indulging in blatant purchasing of loyalties thereby destroying our nation's moral fibre?"

The Pakistan Supreme Court has adjourned hearing on the Opposition's plea over the dissolution of the National Assembly on Sunday. The court has been adjourned till tomorrow. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court has asked all political parties to ensure peace and order, adding “It is Ramadan and everyone is fasting.”

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has started hearing on the suo moto notice following the constitutional situation arising out of the National Assembly deputy speaker’s decision to disallow the no-confidence motion against the PM Imran Khan.

A larger bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan has been formed over the political crisis that has emerged after a no-trust motion against PM Imran Khan was rejected in the National Assembly on Sunday, ARY News reported.

"Today, a man obsessed with power trampled on the Constitution. Imran Khan, who puts his ego before the country and the nation, and all the conspiratorial characters involved in this conspiracy are guilty of serious treason to which Article 6 applies. Abuse of Pakistan and desecration of the Constitution will be taken into account," Nawaz Sharif tweeted.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf tweeted, "Article 69 of the Constitution of Pakistan makes it clear that the court cannot take notice of the proceedings of Parliament. Election has been announced."

69 , #___#__#Elections2022 pic.twitter.com/LdHvDZ8hD4

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 3, 2022

Pak Political Crisis: Here are 7 big takeaways.#Pakistan #ImranKhan @nabilajamal_ #ITVideo pic.twitter.com/blapwTGFY8

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 3, 2022

"The Chief Justice has arrived in the Supreme Court, the hearing (on the dissolution of the National Assembly of Pakistan) is expected to begin at 5 pm (5:30 pm) local time," Pakistan's Geo News reported.

“You said in yesterday's meeting that you should not panic, and today the opposition does not understand what happened to them,” Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said after he avoided the Opposition’s move to oust him.

#__#___ pic.twitter.com/vFcA8rnq28

— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 3, 2022

"Speaker's decision is final and cannot be challenged in any court," PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry was reported as saying by Geo News Urdu.

Hitting out at the Opposition leaders, Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, "Political parties never run away from elections. The people are the real power of political parties. Why are they afraid to go in front of the people, and why are they shedding tears?"

“Imran Khan will save PakistanWhoever is America’s friend is a traitor,” sloganeering underway outside Pakistan Parliament after the National Assembly was dissolved, reports ANI news agency.

#WATCH | Islamabad: "Imran Khan will save Pakistan...Whoever is America's friend is a traitor," sloganeering underway outside Pakistan Parliament after the National Assembly of Pakistan was dissolved, this afternoon pic.twitter.com/eHnWNuwqEm

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2022

Massive security deployment in Islamabad. Security beefed-up outside Parliament in Pakistan. Pak Political Analyst @QamarCheema talks about law and order situation in Islamabad.#ImranKhan #Pakistan #WorldNews@NabilaJamal_ pic.twitter.com/YmeX1Agux7

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 3, 2022

“A grave attack has been made on the constitution, we expect the Supreme Court to correct it,” Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said.

Pakistan Leader of Opposition Shehbaz Sharif tweeted, “It is nothing short of a high treason. IK has pushed the country into anarchy. Niazi & his cohort will not be allowed to go scot-free. There will be consequences for blatant & brazen violation of the Constitution. Hope SC will play it's role to uphold the Constitution.”

It is nothing short of a high treason. IK has pushed the country into anarchy. Niazi & his cohort will not be allowed to go scot-free. There will be consequences for blatant & brazen violation of the Constitution. Hope SC will play it's role to uphold the Constitution.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) April 3, 2022