ISLAMABAD: An attempt to forge ahead with a no-confidence vote against Pakistan’s prime minister has been pushed to next week, prompting opposition arguments that the government is trying to buy time.

An attempt to introduce a measure calling for the vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday was blocked when National Assembly Speaker Asad Qasier said it had to wait, citing a tradition that no business is conducted on the first meeting after the death of a lawmaker, in this case, ruling party member Khayal Zaman Orazkai.

The motion can now be presented on Monday and voting can take place after at least three days of debate. It must happen within seven days.

“We strongly protest against the speaker,” opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif said in comments to local media.

Tempers are running high and the capital has become a battleground,with government and opposition members staging massive rallies against one another. Those who want Khan’s ouster accuse him of bad governance and corruption and blame him for high inflation. — dpa