- Resolution for confidence vote passed by 180 members of National Assembly

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday won a vote of confidence from parliament.

The resolution for the vote of confidence, moved by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, was passed by 180 members of the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

"The resolution has been passed and Shehbaz Sharif has obtained the vote of confidence from the National Assembly," said Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, the speaker of the National Assembly.

The latest development came just a day after Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb refuted reports of Premier Sharif taking a vote of confidence from the parliament.

Sharif while addressing the parliament said he will stand with parliament and be ready for any consequences of disqualification. 

He was referring to the parliament's decision to not release Rs 21 billion for elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province despite the Supreme Court of Pakistan's order to release the funds by April 27. 

The top court is expected to begin hearing in election case on Friday and Sharif along with his cabinet could face contempt of court proceedings in which he could face disqualification. 

“The judiciary has no right to rewrite the constitution and threaten me of contempt proceedings, Sharif said. 

“If they want to send me home, they can but I will stand with parliament,” he added.

Legal experts believe that Sharif has committed contempt of the court and could face tough consequences in the next few days. 

 *Mashal Khan contributed to this story from Islamabad