"The National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan reposes its full confidence in the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” read the text of the resolution tabled by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto earlier today.
Afterwards, Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf announced, "Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has obtained the vote of confidence from the National Assembly and commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly as prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan."
Following the passage of the resolution, the premier thanked the MPs for reposing confidence in him, saying he would 'never let them down'.
A few days ago, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had strongly denied reports that the premier had decided to seek a vote of trust from the Parliament.
According to officials who requested anonymity, PM Shehbaz had decided to seek the vote after consulting MPs from the ruling alliance at a luncheon today.
According to sources, the vote was originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon but was postponed till today.
There were more than 190 members of the National Assembly in the house, but only 172 of them made up the majority.
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According to sources, the vote of confidence may potentially include opposition lawmakers.
On Tuesday, reports that the premier would request a vote of confidence from the NA were refuted by the information minister.
The decision to hold a vote of confidence was not made by the prime minister. There were no such consultations, and the [vote of confidence] is unnecessary, according to a tweet from Aurangzeb.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who took office as premier on April 11, 2022, was referred to by the minister as the "unanimous" choice of the people, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), and the coalition parties.
The minister had said that "rumours" were not true and urged media outlets to avoid publishing news about the prime minister "without verification."
The minister sent out the tweet after a private news channel, citing sources, reported that the prime minister had agreed to call for a vote of confidence this week while finishing up discussions with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.
Since taking office in April of last year, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government has faced several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rallies, a faltering economy, and a recent stalemate with the court.