new Delhi. After the opposition moved a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister in Pakistan, the countdown for Imran Khan’s exit from power has started.
Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif moved a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly of Pakistan on Monday.
The resolution was introduced after a two-day recess and was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Qasim Khan Suri.
“I would request that you (Suri) allow this object (no-confidence motion) to be introduced in the House,” Sharif said while addressing the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly.
A vote was then held to determine whether the motion moved was supported by the mandated lawmakers. The rules of the National Assembly (NA) allow a motion of no confidence to be moved only if the move is supported by at least 20 percent of the members of the NA. That is, 68 votes are necessary in favor of the no-confidence motion.
Khan’s fate will be decided on March 31, when members vote. However, Home Minister Sheikh Rashid had earlier said that the voting could take place on April 4, giving the ruling party more time to increase the numbers to neutralize the no-confidence motion. The opposition is preparing for protests both inside and outside the House in case Khan’s fate is not decided on March 31.
Islamabad is already full of frenzied political activities with the arrival of long march and street protests as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) president Fazal-ur-Rehman arrive in Islamabad. Has happened. The protesters are raising their voice against rising inflation under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regime.
If the no-confidence motion does not work as expected script, then the anger of this crowd is also likely to be uncontrollable.
To oust Khan, the opposition would have to cross the magic figure with the support of 172 MPs.
Following the decision of Jamhoori Watan Party’s Shahzain Bugti to walk out of the ruling coalition on Sunday, the strength of the ruling party in the 342-member lower house of Parliament has gone up to 178. With this the opposition has the support of 163 members, which is only nine short of the required strength.
The three major government allies – PML-Q, Balochistan Awami Party and Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan – have the collective support of 17 MNAs. Now they have to decide which side they will vote for.
Amid this situation, over a dozen dissidents from the ruling PTI have openly criticized the government’s policies, though that does not mean they will cast their vote against the prime minister. A massive gallop of horse trading is expected till the voting takes place.
Khan is left with no more options to handle the situation. Now that the no-confidence motion has been moved, the Prime Minister cannot, under Pakistan’s Basic Law, recommend the dissolution of the House and call for fresh elections.
In the event of losing the trust vote, opposition PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif will form the new government.
Political tension in Islamabad escalated after PM Khan’s supporters held a ‘flag march’ in a show of strength on Sunday. Addressing the people, he blamed foreign powers for destabilizing his government.
(This article has been taken in an arrangement with indiannarrative.com)
–indianarrative
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