Yet when Sunday’s session began, the information minister, Fawad Chaudhry asked the deputy speaker to dismiss the motion, alleging it was the result of collusion with foreign powers seeking “regime change”.

The deputy speaker – a close ally of the prime minister called Qasim Khan Suri – said the minister raised “valid” points, adding that “no foreign power shall be allowed to topple an elected government through a conspiracy”.

He rejected the motion and adjourned parliament. Minutes later Mr Khan made a national address saying he had advised the president to dissolve parliament.

Mr Khan has been accused of economic mismanagement after months of double-digit inflation, a weak rupee and climbing debt that between them have hammered living standards for many.

He is also thought to have had a rift with the nation’s generals, who once backed him and used their formidable political clout to secure his base.

The army denied any involvement in Sunday’s events. Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, head of the military’s public relations wing, said: “The army has nothing to do with the political process.”