Sharif first moved a resolution to allow tabling of the no-confidence motion, which was approved by 161 yes votes. It was followed by tabling of the no-confidence motion by Sharif, capping the first phase of the constitutional procedure.
The National Assembly was adjourned right after tabling of the motion. Next parliament session has been scheduled for March 31, said deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri. The vote will have to be called no earlier than three days and no later than 7 days, which means that the earliest the vote can take place is on March 31.
The political temperature in Pakistan has been slowly reaching a boiling point in the wake of the no-trust move by the Opposition.
The Opposition parties are confident that they can get the support of 172 members in the house of 342 to dislodge the government, while the government claims that it enjoys the required support in the house to foil the attempt.
The country plunged into uncertainty on March 8 after the combined Opposition submitted the motion with the National Assembly along with a requisition to the Speaker to summon the session within mandatory 14 days.
Though the session was called on March 25, three days after the deadline, the Speaker refused to allow the motion to be tabled.
Khan’s mega rally
In a massive show of strength ahead of the crucial no-confidence motion against his government, Khan on Sunday addressed a mammoth rally in the national capital where he claimed that foreign powers were involved in a conspiracy to topple his coalition government.
Addressing the rally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party (PTI) titled ‘Amr Bil Maroof’ (enjoin the good) and billed as a “historic” event at Parade Ground in Islamabad, Prime Minister Khan said foreign elements are using local politicians and money to “mend the country’s foreign policy” and asserted that he has a letter as ‘evidence’ to support his claims.
Khan came to power in 2018 with promises to create a ‘Naya Pakistan’ but miserably failed to address the basic problem of keeping the prices of commodities in control, giving air to the sails of opposition ships to make war on his government.
With major allies of Khan looking the other way and about two dozen PTI members of Parliament revolting against him, and the powerful establishment not providing a helping hand, he is less likely to get the support of the much-coveted 172 lawmakers.
Khan, 69, is heading a coalition government and he can be removed if some of the partners decide to switch sides.
The PTI has 155 members in the 342-member National Assembly and needs at least 172 lawmakers on its side to remain in the government.
No-trust motion against Pak Punjab CM
Meanwhile, Khan’s party announced that it will support ally Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as its chief ministerial candidate in Punjab, in a bid to placate the important ally of the ruling coalition to vote against the no-trust motion in the lower house.
“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will support Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi as a candidate for the chief minister [in Punjab] and the PML-Q has announced to support PM amid in no-confidence motion,” the prime minister’s aide on political communication, Shahbaz Gill, made the announcement on twitter in Urdu.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib said that Prime Minister Khan has nominated Elahi for the post.
Khan’s protege and hand-picked Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar presented his resignation to the prime minister on Monday.
The PML-Q, an important ally of the PTI at the Centre and the Punjab province, has acquired a central role in the ongoing political drama despite having only five Members of the National Assembly.
The PML-Q had reportedly asked Prime Minister Khan to announce Elahi as the replacement of Punjab Chief Minister Buzdar before calling the National Assembly session to take up the Opposition’s no-trust motion.
Buzdar’s removal was also sought by Prime Minister Khan’s closest confidants in the party.
“Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi meets Prime Minister Imran Khan. All issues were settled in the meeting. PML-Q expresses confidence in PM and announces support. Chief Minister Usman Bazdar tenders his resignation to PM. Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to nominate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as the new Chief Minister of Punjab,” Habib wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, a no-confidence motion was also filed against Buzdar.
According to an official handout issued by the provincial assembly secretariat, 127 provincial lawmakers signed the no-trust motion against Buzdar, while 120 signed the requisition notice to summon session within 14 days.
(With inputs from agencies)