Islamabad: Pakistan's pro-military Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on December 30 won a vote of confidence in the National Assembly, improving his majority by 16 votes amid boycott by Opposition parties, securing the future of his government for the next six months.

Jamali won the confidence motion with 188 votes as against 172 secured by him last month during his election as the leader of the House, thus improving majority from one vote to 17 votes in the 342-member House.

Major political parties including the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) of deposed Premier Nawaz Sharif, Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and cricketer-turned- politician Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik Insaf, as also a few smaller parties, boycotted the vote.

Four members had obtained leave citing personal reasons. The present strength of the House is 331 as by-elections were being held for 11 seats.

Jamali's victory comes as a result of his party managers taking advantage of the suspension of the Anti-Defection Law by President Pervez Musharraf and making a big dent into the 81-member strong PPP.

Over 17 members of the PPP defected to the ruling pro-Musharraf Pakistan Muslim League-Qaide Azam (PML-Q) and voted for Jamali on December 30.

PML-Q also managed to secure the support of one member of the hardline Islamist MMA.

The trust vote ensures smooth passage for Jamali for the next six months.

According to the rules, he need not face a no-confidence motion until six months.

PTI