ISLAMABAD: The two major opposition political parties – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPPP) – appeared divided over the question of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, sources revealed on Saturday.
According to sources, the leaders Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the two major opposition political parties have split over a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly.
Sources disclosed that regarding the issue the PML-N President, Shehbaz Sharif, stated that he believed that no-confidence motions would be moved against the prime minister and the speaker National Assembly as it was undemocratic attitude.
Sources further said “Five key leaders of the PDM parties have also opposed the in-house change. Reliable sources claim that four PDM leaders supported the in-house change, while several PDM leaders sought clarification from the PPP on the issue of a no-confidence motion. Most of the leaders demanded that a meeting of the PDM be convened,” sources added.
“PDM chiefs Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Sajid Mir, Abdul Malik Baloch and Owais Noorani are not in favor of the in-house change. They demand that the entire government be overthrown and new elections be held,” sources said.
On the other hand, PDM leaders Akhtar Mengal, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Balochistan National Party want in-house change, while Aftab Ahmed Sherpao of Qaumi Watan Party is also in favor of the in-house change. PML-N has adopted a policy of waiting for Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s statement on in-house change.
Meanwhile., PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal has asked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to “show numbers” over the plan to move a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and the government.
“We saw previously in the Senate where we had the majority numbers but despite that, the no-confidence motion was not successful,” the PML-N secretary-general said while addressing a press conference in Lahore today (Saturday).
The PML-N leader further said, “As far as the PML-N’s thinking is concerned, we think if Bilawal Bhutto has the numbers to bring a no-confidence motion then he should certainly show them.”
“There is only one path we should follow, and that is to pursue a decisive long march against this Imran Khan-led selected government,” Ahsan Iqbal added.
Ahsan said that the PPP’s suggestion of a no-confidence motion was an old one but members of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) alliance deliberate on their suggestions and take decisions through consensus of opinion.
As many as 64 members of the opposition had risen in their seats to approve the motion seeking permission to move the no-trust motion against Sanjrani. However, when it came to secret balloting, only 50 of the opposition senators had voted in favor of the resolution.
On Friday, Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had announced to table a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan with convincing of his allies.
While addressing a ceremony in Larkana today, the PPP leader said that the PTI ministers were trying to create differences among the opposition however, the puppet will have to go home and the people’s representative will become the prime minister soon.
