Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan is trying to cut a deal with the opposition, offering early polls if the no-trust vote is withdrawn, PTI reported, quoting a highly placed source. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman faces a no-confidence vote in the National Assembly on Thursday. 

Two key PTI allies including the  Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) joined the opposition to place the no-confidence vote in motion. PM Imran Khan needs 172 votes in the lower house of 342.

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With the chance of losing the majority in the National Assembly, backdoor efforts are underway to reach a deal between the premier and the joint opposition. 

“Talks are focused on one-point – the joint opposition withdraws the no-trust motion against Khan and in return he dissolves the National Assembly calling for fresh elections. The top man in the establishment may be a guarantor if the understanding (deal) between the opposition and the government reaches,” the source told PTI.

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It further added that idf the deal is cut, new elections will be held in August this year. 

“It’s not possible that you come in NA through Imran Khan’s name and vote against him. In coming days you’ll see that this country stands with Imran Khan,” PTI leader Hammad Azhar said ahead of the vote.

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“No NRO, No Amnesty, No Safe Passage, No Backdoor Exit for Prime Minister Imran Khan. There is only one way, resign gracefully or face vote of no confidence. Show sportsman spirit and respect Parliament and the people of Pakistan, Pakistan Peoples Party chairlman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said. 

“The selected prime minister should resign without any further delay as he has lost majority in the parliament,” he added.

Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif has been vouched for as the next prime minister of Pakistan. Sharid is the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).