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Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, 69, former international cricket star, was ousted from office on Apr. 10 after 174 members voted against him in parliament in a midnight no-confidence vote.

The vote of no confidence, tabled by the opposition, was passed with two more than the requisite simple majority in the 342-member house.

According to various media, Khan is the first PM in Pakistan to be removed in a no-confidence vote.

Vote was delayed by Khan

According to CBS News, the political opposition had won the vote after several of Khan's allies and a key coalition party deserted him.

The result of the vote was the culmination of a 13-hour session that included repeated delays, and was announced by the presiding speaker of parliament's lower house, Ayaz Sadiq in the early hours of Sunday, reported Reuters.

Khan had earlier tried to block the vote by dissolving Parliament and calling for early elections.

However, a Supreme Court ruling ordered the vote to go ahead.

The vote comes amid a cooling relationship between Khan and Pakistan's military.

Khan appeared to have lost the support of the country’s military.

Two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters that the house had voted after Pakistan's army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa met with Khan, as criticism mounted over the delay in the parliamentary process.

Urged supporters to take to the streets

According to CBS News, Khan, who alleged that the opposition had colluded with the U.S. to unseat him, called on his supporters to stage rallies nationwide following his ouster.

Khan delivered a televised address to the nation on the eve of a no-confidence vote in parliament.

He urged his supporters, particularly the youth, to take to the streets on Sunday night (Apr. 10).

He said they needed to "protect Pakistan's sovereignty" and "oppose U.S. dictations".

Some have already taken to social media to express their support for Khan.

Today is a very dark day for Pakistan. We as a nation have lost our most valuable asset. I salute the courage of Imran khan where he fought til his last breathe. He is an example of a true champion and leader. Well played, Captain. 👏🏼

— Zaid Ali (@Za1d) April 9, 2022

This is a sad day for Pakistan!

Imran Khan was the greatest Pakistani PM. A true statesman who led the country out of militarized corruption & the darkness that was the “War on Terror.”

He’s a victim of circumstances beyond his control (inflation, stubborn economic hurdles etc)

— CJ Werleman (@cjwerleman) April 9, 2022

Who could be the next prime minister

Parliament will meet on Monday (Apr.11) to elect a new PM.

The front-runner to become Pakistan's next PM is Shehbaz Sharif, the chief of one of the opposition's largest parties – the Pakistani Muslim League.

He is the younger brother of three-time PM Nawaz Sharif.

Shehbaz, 70, said that Khan's removal from office was a chance for a new beginning: "A new dawn has started ... This alliance will rebuild Pakistan."

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Top image via Imran Khan Facebook