Imran Khan to address the nation after Senate debacle

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to address the nation today in the aftermath of PTI’s embarrassing defeat on a Senate seat in Islamabad.

The government will requisition a session of the National Assembly on Saturday for the prime minister to seek a vote of confidence from the lawmakers.

“The [National Assembly’s] session has been called for Saturday afternoon,” said Information Minister Shibli Faraz told Geo.

 “The prime minister will address the nation today as well and another decision has been taken by him — following consultations with senior party leaders and government allies — that Sadiq Sanjrani will be our candidate for the Senate chairman post again, keeping in mind his performance over the past two to three years,” he said.

In response to a question, Faraz said that the ruling party is currently focused on the aftermath of the Senate elections and legal action can be taken against PTI parliamentarians who voted other than the party’s candidates — pending a formal inquiry into the matter.

The PTI leader said that the prime minister will be seeking a vote of confidence from the parliament in line with universally accepted democratic principles.

In response to a question, Faraz said that PM Imran Khan’s “personal decision” to seek a vote of confidence from the parliament following Gilani’s victory was being hailed by people across the country, adding that it was an unprecedented step in the country’s history.