PAKISTAN-NO CONFIDENCE MOTION

Headline

Pakistan parliament adjourns no-confidence till March 28, opposition reacts angrily.

Intro

The National Assembly session, with a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan on the agenda, is adjourned, followed by opposition’s warning.

Story

STORY: The National Assembly (lower house of parliament) session on Friday (March 25), with a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan on the agenda, was adjourned by Speaker till Monday, March 28, inviting opposition’s anger.

The speaker Asad Qaiser said he was adjourning the session after ‘fatehakhwani’ (prayrer) as per the traditions of the lower house of parliament to show respect for departed lawmakers.

In response to the no-confidence motion, Qaiser said he will allow the debate on the no-confidence motion as per the Constitution on Monday, March 28.

“(Traditionally) There has been postponements of sessions without proceedings. Therefore, we adjourn further proceedings today due to death of our respected member of Assembly. Yes, I will proceed on vote of no-confidence motion according to rules and law. The house is adjourned to meet again on Monday, 28th March at 4 p.m,”he told the house.

As he adjourned the session, the opposition leaders reacted angrily. Opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif censured the speaker for acting in a partisan manner.

“I warn Imran Khan Niazi and the speaker - who has become his stooge – unfortunately I have to use this word – he is no more a speaker in parliament but a stooge – if he dares do something like this on Monday – we will use every possible political, legal and constitutional way to protect our right,”leader of the opposition,Sharif told reporters outside the parliament house.

“This speaker, being the facilitator of Imran Khan, has not only run away from today’s proceedings but he ran away earlier as well when he was supposed to summon the session within fourteen days. His fear was obvious within two days when we submitted this no-confidence requisition,”said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leader of Pakistan Peoples Party.

The opposition, which has 162 members, filed the no-confidence motion on March 8. The motion, moved by 152 opposition members, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had lost the confidence of the house.  

The ruling coalition currently claims the support of 179 members of the National Assembly. It needs 172 lawmakers for the success of the motion.

Voting on the resolution will be held at least three to seven days after it has been laid before the National Assembly.