Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has speculated that general elections may be held in April, due to both the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies being dissolved.
However, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting has stated that the election will only be held at the completion of the constitutional term of the government.
On the other hand, Imran Khan's ally, Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was removed from his position after failing to seek a vote of confidence, which was mandatory after the governor officially requested it.
Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), suggested the possibility of general elections in April.
This comes after the dissolution of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
However, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that the election will only be held after the completion of the constitutional term of the government.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan's ally, Chief Minister of Punjab, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, was removed from his position by Punjab Governor Muhammad Baligh-ur-Rehman.
Rehman stated that Elahi had failed to seek a vote of confidence, which was mandatory after the governor had officially asked for it.
Rehman's order read: "I am satisfied he doesn't command the confidence of the majority of the members of the Punjab Assembly, and therefore ceases to hold his office with immediate effect."
This move will likely deepen political instability in Pakistan as the country is currently struggling with economic meltdown and severe balance of payment crises.
Furthermore, the removal of a key ally of Imran Khan deals a blow to his plans to force snap polls in the nation.
In response, a spokesperson for PTI stated that the removal of Elahi was a "clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan".