Pakistan lawmakers start vote for new PM after Khan ousted

Shehbaz Sharif was set Monday to become Pakistan's new prime minister, but ousted premier Imran Khan and most of his party's lawmakers resigned their seats in the national assembly immediately before voting started.

Khan was dismissed Sunday after losing a no-confidence vote, paving the way for an opposition alliance that faces the same issues which bedevilled the cricket star-turned-politician.

Sharif, leader of the centrist Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) is certain to be chosen after Khan loyalist Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the former foreign minister, withdrew his candidacy and resigned his seat.

"I announced a boycott of the election," Qureshi said.

"We announce we (the party lawmakers) will submit our resignations. We reject becoming a part of this illegitimate process."

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had 155 lawmakers in the 342-seat chamber, although more than a dozen had said they would cross the floor ahead of Sunday's no-confidence vote.

Sharif's first task will be to form a cabinet that will also draw heavily from the centre-left Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), as well as find space for the smaller conservative Jamiat-ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F) group.

- Bitter rivals -

The PPP and PML-N are dynastic parties that have dominated Pakistani politics for decades -- usually as bitter rivals -- but their relations are sure to fray in the lead-up to the next election, which must be held by October 2023.

They need to tackle soaring inflation, a feeble rupee and crippling debt, while militancy is also on the rise -- with Pakistan's Taliban emboldened by the return to power last year of the hardline Islamist group in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Shehbaz Sharif is the younger brother of disgraced three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and Pakistan media are already speculating the latter may soon return from exile in Britain.

The elder Sharif was dismissed in 2017 and later jailed for 10 years by an accountability court on graft charges after revelations from the Panama Papers, but was released to seek medical treatment abroad.

The younger Sharif is also mired in graft proceedings. In 2019, the National Accountability Bureau seized nearly two dozen properties belonging to him and his son Hamza, accusing them of money laundering.

He was arrested and detained in September 2020, but released six months later on bail for a trial which is still pending.

A seasoned politician in his own right, Sharif, 70, jointly inherited the family's steel business as a young man and was first elected to provincial office in 1988.

He is known as a tough administrator, feared for his frequent "surprise visits" to government institutions as well as a penchant for quoting revolutionary poetry.

- Defeat not taken well -

No prime minister has ever served a full term in Pakistan, but Khan is the first to lose office via a vote of no-confidence -- a defeat he has not taken well.

He tried everything to stay in power after losing his majority in parliament -- including dissolving the assembly and calling a fresh election.

But the Supreme Court deemed all his actions illegal and ordered them to reconvene and vote.

Khan insists he has been the victim of a "regime change" conspiracy involving Washington, and has vowed to take his fight to the streets in the hope of forcing an early election.

Political analyst Talat Masood said Khan appears to want to "create problems" for the next government. 

"From what he has been saying, he seems to want to... pursue a kind of a policy of trying to sort of rebel rather (than) make things better for the country and society," Masood, a former general, told AFP. 

Publicly, the military appears to be keeping out of the current fray, but there have been four coups since independence in 1947, and Pakistan has spent more than three decades under army rule.

The new partnership will offer local artists the platform to showcase their talent and creative artworks

Mondrian Doha, Doha’s leading luxury hotel that celebrates fashion, art, culture, and music, collaborated with Fire Station on their ‘Artists in Residence’ programme for a cultural initiative dedicated to supporting Qatar’s eclectic art scene. The collaboration was officially inaugurated through an art exhibition titled “Metaphoric growth” and aims to promote the artistic works of Qatar talents.

The launch of the first of a series of exhibition was held at Mondrian Doha’s Frozen Forest Lobby Lounge on Wednesday, 6^th April in attendance by representatives from Fire Station and Mondrian Doha as well as members of local media and influencers. 

The initiative comes as part of Mondrian’s continuous efforts to empower local artists, and to support the emerging talents participating in Fire Station’s ‘Artists in Residence’ programme in offering them an exhibition space to showcase their creative works to the community.

Commenting on the launch, Mikel Ibrahim, General Manager of Mondrian Doha, said: “Art and design have always been an integral part of Mondrian’s DNA. Inspired by Marcel Wanders ingenious, sophisticated, and original architecture and design, we naturally draw inspiration from contemporary art, heritage, fashion, and pop culture. We are proud to collaborate with Fire Station, who are in harmony with our bold and creative identity and share our commitment to empowering local talents to further create, flourish and grow.”

Khalifa Al Obaidly, Director of Fire Station Artists in Residence, commented: “We are excited to collaborate with Mondrian Doha to inspire local artists and nurture new talent as part of the Fire Station’s annual ‘Artists in Residence’ programme. This collaboration aligns with the Fire Station’s aim to provide a platform that will act as a springboard for established and aspiring artists to explore and showcase their creative talent to Qatar and the world.”

The exhibition “Metaphoric Growth” comprises artworks by Fatima Javed, the first Fire Station artist to display her artwork at Mondrian Doha. Her stoneware paper clay sculptures reflect the transformational process that every individual goes through, and encapsulates the emotional transitions.

Fatima Javed commented saying: “I am delighted to have my sculptures exhibited at Mondrian Doha in collaboration with Fire Station. Such cultural collaboration provides a significant platform for artists to showcase their artworks to the wider community and art enthusiasts.”

Fatima continued: “Metaphoric Growth" showcases stoneware paper clay sculptures that metaphorically reflect the transitional period of my emotions from hardship to stability expressing growth and perseverance. I am grateful for such opportunity that will enable me to grow and flourish pushing the boundaries for creativity and experimenting”.

The artworks will be displayed at Ella Mia from 6^th April to 21^st April 2022 from sunset till 11:00pm providing an opportunity for the community and art fans to witness vibrant art talents.