ISLAMABAD: Deputy Speaker NA Qasim Suri on Sunday rejected the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan by terming it a ‘foreign conspiracy’.
The crucial session of the National Assembly summoned to vote on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan met with deputy speaker NA Qasim Suri in the chair.
The session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran. Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri is chairing the session.
At the start of the session, Law Minister Fawad Chaudhry raised the legal aspects and termed the move as a foreign conspiracy for regime change in Pakistan.
“On March 7, our official ambassador was invited to a meeting attended by the representatives of other countries. The meeting was told that a motion against PM Imran was being presented,” he said, noting that this occurred a day before the opposition formally filed the no-trust move.
“We were told that relations with Pakistan were dependent on the success of the no-confidence motion. We were told that if the motion fails, then Pakistan’s path would be very difficult. This is an operation for a regime change by a foreign government,” Fawad alleged.
The minister questioned how this could be allowed and called on the deputy speaker to decide the constitutionality of the no-trust move.
Later, the deputy speaker rejected the no-confidence motion by terming it against the constitution of Pakistan and adjourned the house for an indefinite period.
Opposition’s reaction
The opposition leaders have condemned the act of deputy speaker NA Qasim Suri and have observed a sit-in. The PPP chairman has demanded of the Supreme Court to take notice of the matter.
The joint opposition also held a meeting and decided to file a petition in the Supreme Court against the move of the deputy speaker.
PM Imran’s address to the nation
Following the rejection of the no-confidence motion against him, PM Imran Khan congratulated the nation in his address to the nation. PM Imran Khan said he has advised President Arif Alvi to dissolve the assemblies.
“It was a foreign agenda, I want to tell the people don’t get disturbed the God is looking over the nation,” PM Imran Khan said.
“The Speaker has decided to use his authority,” he said. “I have sent an advice to the President for dissolution of the assemblies,” the prime minister said. “The people have to decide what will be the future,” Imran Khan said.
“I am thankful to Allah that a conspiracy has been filed against the country,” he added.
He asked the people to prepare for the next election.
President dissolves assembly
President Arif Alvi has approved the dissolution of the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
According to Article 58, “The President shall dissolve the National Assembly if so advised by the prime minister; and the National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, stand dissolved at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the prime minister has so advised.”
Article 69: Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)
1. The validity of any proceedings in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall not be called in question on the ground of any irregularity of procedure.
2. No officer or member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in whom powers are vested by or under the Constitution for regulating procedure or the conduct of business, or for maintaining order in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise by him of those powers.
3. In this Article, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) has the same meaning as in Article 66.
Elections within 90 days
The government announced new elections in the country in 90 days after dissolving the assemblies.
This was announced by the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib through his Twitter handle.
New elections will be held in 90 days
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) April 3, 2022
PTI strategy for no-trust move
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has changed its strategy to deal with no-trust move as Prime Minister Imran Khan and all party MNAs will now be attending the National Assembly proceedings tomorrow.
Previously, it was decided that MNAs from treasury benches will remain absent on the voting day of a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Read more: National Assembly to vote on no-confidence motion today
Opposition’s number game
According to initial reports, the position of the opposition in the National Assembly seems to be strong with 176 members of Parliament reaching the House. The claim to surprise government members is still valid.
For the success of the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, a meeting of the united opposition was held under the chairmanship of Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif in which Asif Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Akhtar Mengal, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khalid Maqsood and Shah Zain Bugti were also present.
The legal team of the opposition parties also attended the meeting. The legal team briefed the members on the provisions of the constitution and explained the technical aspects of the no-confidence motion. The opposition has decided not to respond to provocative statements by government members.
No-confidence motion submitted against NA Speaker Asad Qaiser
Prior to today’s session of the National Assembly, the opposition also submitted a no-confidence motion against NA Speaker Asad Qaiser.
The resolution, addressed to the secretary of the National Assembly Secretariat, was submitted by Murtaza Javed Abbasi of the PML-N. The resolution carried the signatures of more than a hundred lawmakers.
Section 144 imposed in Islamabad
To avoid any untoward incident on the decisive day, the district administration has imposed Section 144 and completely banned pillion riding in Islamabad for today.
A statement issued by Islamabad deputy commissioner said that the Red Zone has been sealed with big containers and barbed wires and with tightened security in the federal capital.
The local administration has also prohibited all kinds of gatherings in areas in and outside the Red Zone within a one-kilometre radius.
Moreover, a notification issued by Islamabad’s district magistrate prohibits ‘all kinds of gatherings of 5 or more persons, processions/rallies and demonstrations inside the Red Zone.
Process of a no-trust vote
Under the Constitution of Pakistan, the prime minister is elected by a majority of the lower house National Assembly, which has 342 members.
A candidate needs a majority of legislators, 172, to vote for him to become prime minister. That is the same number of votes against him in a no-confidence vote needed to oust him and dissolve his cabinet.
So if PM Imran Khan could survive a no-confidence vote even if he got fewer votes than the opposition but only if the latter did not get the 172 votes that make up a majority in the 342-seat house.
What happens next?
If PM Imran Khan loses the vote, parliament can continue to function until its five-year tenure ends in August 2023, after which a general election is due within 60 days.
There will be a vote in the National Assembly to elect a new prime minister to serve until then. Candidates can be put forward by any party with legislators in the assembly.
The new prime minister can, however, call a general election immediately, without waiting until 2023.
Some constitutional analysts say the assembly can be dissolved and a general election held if no candidate can secure a majority of votes to become the prime minister.
