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Opposition submits no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan

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  • Opposition claims to have support of 202 NA lawmakers.
  • Shahbaz, Zardari, Fazl to address press conference shortly.
  • 86 Opposition lawmakers parties sign no-confidence motion.

ISLAMABAD: The Opposition has submitted the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly Secretariat, Geo News reported Tuesday, citing PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb.

A total of 86 lawmakers from the Opposition parties have signed the no-confidence motion, sources said. JUI-F’s Shahida Akhtar Ali, PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique and PPP’s Naveed Qamar and Shazia Marri submitted the no-trust motion and requisition for a session to the NA Secretariat.

Read more: The numbers game of no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan

— Screengrab of the resolution.
— Screengrab of the resolution.

Meanwhile, the three bigwig Opposition leaders — PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N’s Shahbaz, and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — will address a press conference later today, sources said.

In a major development, former senior minister Punjab Aleem Khan joined Jahangir Khan Tareen’s PTI faction a day earlier as he had reservations with the prime minister, but did not specify whom will the group support once the no-confidence motion is moved.


Current numbers

Government:

  • PTI — 155
  • MQM-P — 7
  • PML-Q — 5
  • BAP — 5
  • GDA — 3
  • Independent — 2
  • AML — 1
  • JWP — 1

Total: 179


Opposition

  • PML-N — 84
  • PPP — 56
  • MMA — 15
  • BNP-M — 4
  • Independent — 2
  • ANP — 1

Total: 162


Opposition claims to have the numbers

Opposition submits no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan

The Opposition is confident of having the numbers to remove PM Imran Khan, sources said, adding that they are claiming of having the support of 202 National Assembly members.

The Opposition has claimed that they have the backing of 28 PTI lawmakers and others from an ally of the government, sources said.

At least 16 PTI lawmakers have the support of PML-N, four with PPP, and two with JUI-F, sources said.

Meanwhile, six more members from the PTI are in contact with the PML-N, sources said.

Read more: Top PTI leaders seek Usman Buzdar’s dismissal as CM Punjab: sources

PM Imran Khan meets AGP

Prime Minister Imran Khan summoned the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) at the Prime Minister’s House to discuss legal aspects as the Opposition tabled the no-trust move against him. According to sources, the AGP briefed the premier regarding the legal implications of the move.

PTI vows to defeat no-trust motion

In a consultative meeting after the submission of the no-trust motion, the ruling party vowed to foil the Opposition’s bid to de-seat PM Imran Khan.

The huddle, attended by the PM and federal ministers, including Asad Umar and Shafqat Mehmood, was informed that all the party members and allies are united under Imran Khan’s leadership.

Read more: PPP’s ‘Awami March’ heads for Islamabad with clock ticking on Bilawal’s ultimatum to PM Imran

It was decided that the prime minister will visit MQM-P’s office in Karachi.

“Opposition will be defeated and we are not scared of no-trust motion,” PM Imran Khan told the participants.

He said that the government is focused on performance.

Jahangir Tareen group also holds meeting

A key player in the Punjab riddle, the Jahangir Khan Tareen group, also held its meeting today with their leader chairing the session through a video link from London.

Tareen is in the UK for medical treatment for the last couple of weeks but holding regulation meetings with his loyal parliamentarians after both the government and the Opposition sought their support for a no-trust move.

Speaking to the media after the group’s meeting, convened to discuss the no-confidence motion tabled in the National Assembly, Punjab MPA Nauman Langrial said they will only be held on minus-Buzzdar formula.

Answering a question about their nominee for the new Punjab chief minister, after the removal of Usman Buzdar, Langrial said Tareen will decide the matter.

Langarial said that the faction has given the authority for all the decisions to Jahangir Tareen. “We have also told Aleem Khan that he will have to abide by the decisions of Tareen. There will be no disagreement on his decision.”

He said that the faction has been contacted by various parties.

“Every member of the Tareen group agrees that talks can only proceed if the minus-Buzdar formula is adopted.

The MPA said that the group has come up with a mandate, and is thinking well for the nation and PTI.

He further said that Tareen will decide whether Aleem Khan will be the chief minister or not.

‘Army stands with me’

Speaking to a select group of YouTubers today, the prime minister said he was confident that the government was not going anywhere and that this was the Opposition’s last move.

“After this, nothing will happen against this government till 2028 […] Opposition will face a humiliating defeat,” the prime minister said.

The prime minister said he knows Jahangir Tareen — who has had sour ties with the PTI — and he would never support “thieves”.

Requisation for summoning National Assembly under Article 54(3) of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Requisation for summoning National Assembly under Article 54(3) of the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

“My lawmakers are being offered Rs180 million [for supporting no-confidence motion]. I told them to take the money and distribute it among the poor.”

PM Imran Khan said CM Buzdar was an easy target, and that’s why he was being targeted.

Endorsing the PTI leaders’ narrative of international conspiracy behind Imran Khan’s removal, the premier said people who do not want an independent foreign policy would support the no-confidence motion. 

The Opposition’s heightened activities are backed by money, he claimed.

“The army stands with me, it will never support thieves […] and since the people are not backing the Opposition anymore, they are claiming that the establishment is supporting them,” he said.

“A mind game is going on right now, and I am a master at it,” he said.

While addressing at a ceremony in Rawalpindi’s Fatima Jinnah University earlier today, PM Imran Khan had said he was ready for everything the Opposition throws at him.

“The powerful desires NRO and threaten to topple the government if they don’t get it but I will not give them that as long as I am alive,” PM Imran Khan said.

“Once again, I make it loud and clear that I will not extend the gang of thieves and dacoits any relief in the shape of NRO (national reconciliation ordinance),” he said.

PML-N lawmakers told to stay in Islamabad

Separately, a PML-N parliamentary party meeting was held earlier today where the party president, Shahbaz Sharif, had announced the plan for submitting the no-confidence motion.

During the meeting, PML-N lawmakers were asked to remain in Islamabad for at least 20 days, sources said. The party members were warned that their absence during the tabling of the no-confidence motion would not be tolerated.

‘100% sure’ of success

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Opposition leaders at Zardari Hosue a day earlier, PML-N’s Rana Sanaullah said he was “100%” sure that the no-confidence motion against the government would be successful.

“We will soon be relieved of this curse; the leaders will announce the decisions that were made today,” the former provincial minister said.

Elections

Atta Tarar’s triumph over NA-127 in the LHC is contested

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The victory of Attaullah Tarar, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) from Lahore’s NA-127 constituency in the general elections on February 8 has been contested in the Lahore High Court (LHC).

Samiullah Khan’s victory from PP-145 has also been contested. The petitions will be heard by Election Tribunal Judge Sultan Tanveer. The petitions have included the Pakistani Election Commission (ECP) and other parties as parties.

In the meantime, Attaullah Tarar stated during a discussion with Miss Zoe Ware, the Political Counselor of the British High Commission, that fake news, misinformation, and disinformation were global issues that needed to be managed.

According to the minister, fake news is the largest issue on social media, and the government is working to address it.

The conference covered a wide range of topics, including the two nations’ relationship and how to foster media collaboration. Collaboration in the drama and cinema industries was also covered.

According to Attaullah Tarar, social media verification should be adopted by journalists, and a global code of conduct for social media usage should be created.

Miss Zoe Ware thanked Attaullah Tarar on taking over as Minister of Information and Broadcasting and the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on establishing the cabinet.

She was given the assurance that the UK diplomat will work with her to promote bilateral ties between Pakistan and the UK.

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Pakistan

US commitment to resolving Pakistan’s energy crisis is prioritized

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According to State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, Pakistan was assisted by the United States in producing an extra 4,000 megawatts of sustainable energy.

According to him, these kinds of initiatives have given Pakistan more capacity to produce energy, allowing it to power millions of people.

The spokesman restated that both nations will cooperate through the green alliance to address the environmental issues.

At a news briefing, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “Earlier, the United States advised Pakistan to halt the Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project, as engaging in business with Iran poses the risk of encountering U.S. sanctions.”

“We always advise everyone that doing business with Iran carries the risk of encountering our sanctions, and we would advise everyone to consider that very carefully,” he continued. “I’m not going to preview any potential sanctions.”

He said, “We do not support this pipeline going forward, as the Assistant Secretary made clear last week.”

The Pakistan-Iran pipeline project was approved for completion a few months ago by the caretaker administration in Pakistan. But after this permission, Pakistan received an official statement from the US expressing its worries. Pakistan again put a stop to the project’s execution when the United States expressed concerns.

Miller said, “We condemn the attack on a convoy of PRC engineers in Pakistan,” in response to a query. Miller also denounced the terrorist attack on Chinese engineers in Pakistan. We offer our sincere condolences to all impacted by the incident and are extremely saddened by the deaths and injuries incurred.

He declared, “Terrorists have caused enormous suffering to the Pakistani people, and Chinese nationals living in Pakistan have also been the targets of terrorist strikes.” Such acts of terror should not occur in any nation.

In response to a question concerning a letter from Pakistani judges, the spokesperson stated that while he had seen the letter, he had not yet conferred with his colleagues and would not be making any comments.

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Pakistan

Fazlur Rehman says the government led by Shehbaz won’t be able to deliver

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Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), expressed doubts on Wednesday over the viability of the Shehbaz Sharif administration, stating that he believes the new system will fail if citizens go to the streets.

Fazlur Rehman stated on Wednesday’s “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath” segment of Geo News that “the parliament will likely be a rubber stamp.” There are simply too many obstacles for this government to handle. In the end, politicians will be held accountable for all of their shortcomings.”

The “crime is committed by someone else and the politicians take responsibility,” he said, calling it bizarre. The leader of JUI-F declared that his organization will demonstrate against the establishments that had turned the elections into a “game.”


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Fazl has previously said that he would abstain from the by-elections for the National Assembly and provincial assembly seats. In addition, he declared that on April 25, following Ramadan, he will start a protest campaign against the purported election manipulation from Balochistan.

“We firmly believe that there will be a rigged general election in 2024. And the factor that changed the outcome would be our aim. We reject the findings that led to the formation of this government,” he declared.

The leader of JUI-F stated that they disagreed with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa election results.

“[Earlier] the issues with the PTI were ideological and not election-related,” he said.

He stated that the party had not yet made the decision to work with the PTI. He did concede, though, that the Imran Khan-led party’s attitude has changed for the better. He remarked that it was a positive attitude and that it would not be a problem if the two parties moved together.

Fazl also revealed that he told Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister, that he thought of him as a new blue-eyed boy during their meeting.

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