PM Imran loses majority as MQM strikes deal with opposition 

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan received another massive blow as Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P), key ally and the main coalition partner of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), struck a deal with the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). 

Congratulating Pakistan, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, turned to his official twitter handle and announced that the united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement.  

Bilawal said the detail will be briefed before the media on March 30 (today). 

"The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM and PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan," tweeted Bilawal. 

The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan.

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) March 29, 2022

Under this, MQM will withdraw support from Imran Khan. 

The late-night development has left Imran Khan's future in tatters as the PTI government has lost the majority in the lower house of the parliament, ahead of the crucial no-confidence motion. 

Senior MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari also confirmed the deal on Twitter, saying the agreement has been finalized and the details will be provided at 6pm today. 

متحدہ اپوزیشن اور متحدہ قومی موومنٹ پاکستان کے درمیان معاہدہ نے حتمی شکل اختیار کر لی ہے
پیپلز پارٹی کی سی ای سی، ایم کیو ایم پاکستان کی رابطہ کمیٹی مجوزہ معاہدے کی توثیق کے بعد اس کی تفصیلات سے کل شام۴ بجے باضابطہ میڈیا کو آگاہ کیا جائے گا۔
@MQMPKOfficial @PPP_Org @pmln_org

— Faisal Subzwari (@faisalsubzwari) March 29, 2022

Imran Khan has to prove his majority on the no-confidence motion on April 3. 

The Pakistani National Assembly (NA) has a total strength of 342 members, with the majority mark at 172. The joint opposition has now 177 supporters in the national assembly and they don't need the support of disgruntled PTI lawmakers. 

In the meantime, the PTI-led coalition government was formed with the support of 179 members, however, the desertion by MQM-P has left Imran Khan's party with 164 members in support.

It is pertinent to mention here that, the opposition alliance requires the support of 172 MNAs in order to make the no-trust move against the Prime Minister successful.