Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan faces a no confidence vote in parliament today, which he is likely to lose.

This comes just days after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled that his attempt to dissolve Parliament and hold elections early was illegal.

This set the scene for today’s vote at 6.30am UK Time. Opposition politicians claim they have the 172 votes needed to unseat Khan in the 342-seat assembly.

The former cricket star and conservative Islamic politician, however, is not giving up. He said on Friday that he would not accept a government “imposed upon” him.

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Continue reading: Imran Khan’s death threats and dirty tricks are not enough to stop him from submitting a no-confidence motion

As good or gone’

Khan swept to power in 2018, but he recently lost his majority of parliamentary seats. A prominent newspaper recently called him “as good and gone”.

The troubled prime minister has called on his critics to support him by taking to the streets.

He said, “All of us will have to go out on Sunday afternoon after evening prayer to protest, and to peacefully protest… I once again say that we should not indulge in violence.” It should be peaceful.

Last Sunday, opposition politicians presented a motion of no confidence in parliament . In response, Mr Khan disbanded parliament and called for a snap election. This move was deemed illegal.

The vote was triggered by the opposition’s criticism of the prime minister’s political and economic mismanagement. They blame him for not being able to revive the economy or tackle corruption.

Since 1947, independence from Britain, no prime minister has completed a five-year term.

Allegations of opposition to the US

Khan accused his adversaries of conspiring with the US in order to remove him. However, he has not provided any evidence.

He stated that he wanted the Supreme Court investigate communications between a senior US diplomat (who he hasn’t named) and Pakistani diplomats. These communications he claimed show evidence of collusion.

Because of his foreign policy preferences in favor of Russia and China, he claims the US government wants to have him removed. On the 24th of February, he visited Moscow and met with Vladimir Putin. This was also the day that tanks entered Ukraine.

The US state department denied any involvement. Jalina Porter, a spokeswoman for the US, told reporters Friday that there was “absolutely zero truth” to the allegations.

What’s next?

If the opposition wins, parliament will choose a new head for government. This could be Shahbaz Sharif’s brother, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

He would remain in office until October 2023 when a new election will be held.

After being convicted of corruption, Nawaz Sharif was removed from office.

Early elections would be called if the opposition is unsuccessful.