Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif has managed to secure a vote of confidence from the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday.

A total of 180 lawmakers reposed confidence in the prime minister. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari presented a resolution in the House for the prime minister to seek a vote of confidence.

The counting of vote of confidence lasted less than 10 mins.

After IK, PM Shehbaz to seek vote of confidence today

Earlier, PM decided to take a vote of confidence from the NA.

According to several media reports, the premier consulted with allies on the matter and they advised him to take a vote of confidence.

They also affirmed their confidence in him and assured him that he can always take a vote of confidence from the House.

Reportedly, this development is to send a message to dispell the image that the Prime Minister is weak or that the parliament is not with PM Shehbaz.

However, reports from earlier in the week that a vote of confidence would take place were rubbished by Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.

PM Shehbaz isn’t seeking vote of confidence, clarifies minister

In a tweet, she said, “The prime minister did not decide to take a vote of confidence. There were no such consultations and there is no need for the vote of confidence.”

The minister termed Shehbaz as the “unanimous” candidate of the people, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and its coalition parties. 

She also asked the media not to run such news stories “without verification”.

وزیراعظم نے اعتماد کا ووٹ لینے کا فیصلہ نہیں کیا،ایسی مشاورت ہوئی نہ اس کی ضرورت ہے۔ عوام، پارٹی،اتحادی جماعتوں کے متفقہ امیدوار شہباز شریف 11 اپریل 2022 کو قومی اسمبلی کے قائد ایوان کا ووٹ لے چکے ہیں۔ من گھڑت افواہ حقیقت نہیں۔ میڈیا بغیر تصدیق وزیراعظم سے متعلق خبریں نہ چلائے

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) April 24, 2023

The last time a PM took a vote of confidence was in April 2022 when Imran Khan was ousted from power, becoming the first premier to be removed from government in such a manner.