Pakistan’s PM faces tough challenge with no-confidence vote

Pakistani paramilitary troops in riot gear stand guard outside the National Assembly, in Islamabad (Anjum Naveed/AP)

Pakistan’s embattled prime minister is facing a no-confidence vote in Parliament and the opposition said it has the numbers to win after Imran Khan’s allies and partners in the fragile coalition abandoned him.

The opposition needs a simple majority of 172 votes in the 342-seat Parliament to unseat the cricket star turned conservative Islamic politician. Mr Khan’s small but key coalition partners, along with 17 members of his own party, have joined the opposition to oust him.