ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s opposition parties said on Thursday they would not make a deal with Prime Minister Imran Khan and would oust him via a no-confidence vote, as reports emerged in the media that the government and opposition had reached a compromise. 

The opposition statement was a response to local media reports that the prime minister had asked the opposition to withdraw a no-confidence motion tabled on Monday in exchange for him dissolving the assemblies and calling early elections.

A debate on a no-confidence motion tabled earlier this week by the opposition against PM Khan was adjourned until Sunday. 

“The meeting reiterated its decision to bring the no-confidence motion to a logical conclusion in accordance with the stipulated time frame through the constitution, law and parliamentary democratic process," the joint opposition said in a statement after a meeting of opposition lawmakers was held at Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif’s residence.

“[The meeting] made it clear that the opposition would not give any NRO to Imran [Khan] Niazi,” it said. In the Pakistani political lexicon, the term ‘NRO’ refers to reaching a compromise with another party in exchange for a favor. 

“In this regard, misleading news from the media cannot change the joint opposition’s decision,” read the statement. “Through a no-confidence motion, the joint opposition will establish new democratic and constitutional traditions in the country and abandon the undemocratic behaviors of the past forever.” 

The joint opposition expressed satisfaction at the 172 lawmakers who attended the meeting. In the 342-member National Assembly, the joint opposition needs a simple majority, 172 votes, to oust the prime minister.

The no-trust move comes as Pakistan faces an enduring economic crisis, amid cries by the opposition that Khan has mismanaged the economy and governed poorly. 

The speaker of the National Assembly has to carry out the vote no sooner than three days and no later than seven days after the motion is tabled. The motion was tabled on Monday.  

Hence, the latest a vote can take place is next Monday.