Ready to sit on opposition benches, says Imran Khan; questions ECP's responsibility

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday lashed out at the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) for "making a mockery of democracy", while also calling out the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Imran made these remarks in an address to the nation where he explained the political situation in the country that emerged after Wednesday's Senate elections in which the opposition managed to stage an upset.

In a nationwide address, Imran Khan questioned the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) saying, "Your (ECP) major responsibility was transparency (during Senate polls) but why did you ask for a close ballot."This comes as the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) secured 18 seats. 

He also announced that he will take a vote of confidence from Parliament on Saturday, adding that he will sit in opposition if failed to get a vote of confidence from the lower house.

However, the win was watered-down as the opposition's Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) candidate defeated PTI from the Islamabad general seat. Yousaf Raza Gilani, the joint candidate of opposition parties, was elected senator from Islamabad, by defeating PTI's Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

Further blaming the opposition parties, Khan said, "They (the opposition) staged the entire drama on Hafeez Shaikh. "Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Wednesday said the win of Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on the general seat of the Senate from Islamabad was a "negation of democracy".

"The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has unanimously decided that Prime Minister Imran Khan will seek a vote of confidence from the National Assembly," Qureshi was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. Pakistan prime minister is now set to seek a confidence vote in the country's National Assembly on Saturday to prove the legitimacy of his government.

As Imran Khan attempted to sway public opinion, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari today said the "beginning of the end" had started for the incumbent PTI-led government and it was "too late" for anyone to attempt to save the government now.

"Now this puppet spectacle won't continue, now this drama won't continue, [Prime Minister] Imran Khan will have to correct his behaviour," said Bilawal, as quoted by Dawn."It is well and truly the beginning of the end and now no one can save this government," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)