Tag: No-confidence motion

  • Voting on no-confidence motion expected on April 3 or 4 : Sheikh Rasheed

    Voting on no-confidence motion expected on April 3 or 4 : Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that voting on the no-confidence motion against oust Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan will take place on April 3 or 4.

    The federal minister’s comments came during a press conference.

    The interior minister said that everyone is allowed to hold public gatherings in Islamabad; however, according to the directions by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), no one will be allowed to enter the Red Zone.

    The minister also announced that Pakistan People’s Party MNA Jam Abdul Karim would be arrested upon arrival in Pakistan as he is nominated in the Nazim Jhokhio murder case. “He is coming to cast his vote from Dubai. I have directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and talked with IG Sindh. We will arrest him and hand him over to the Sindh police,” said Rasheed.

    Rasheed said that the suspect is being brought to Pakistan from Dubai without obtaining bail ahead of voting on the no-trust motion against PM Khan. “This shows that their [Opposition’s] legs are trembling,” he added. 

    Taking a jibe at the Opposition, he said that they are “fools” because they played a major role in the popularity of Imran Khan.

    It is pertinent to mention here that National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned NA session on the vote of no-confidence motion till Monday (March 28).

  • Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    Speaker Asad Qaiser is ‘Imran Khan’s stooge’, says Opposition after Qaiser adjourns NA session till Monday

    The much-awaited and critical National Assembly (NA) session on the vote of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was adjourned till Monday (March 28) by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

    “Since this is the tradition of this house, that whenever a respectable member [of the assembly] passes away, the [NA] session is adjourned till the next [working] day in their honour,” said Qaiser. “This has happened for years and this had happened a total of 24 times in the past.”

    Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House right after the session was adjourned, Leader of the Opposition in NA Shehbaz Sharif said that the Speaker has become a “stooge” of PM Khan.

     “This was a constitutional obligation and he violated the Constitution by not doing this,” said Shehbaz adding, “The Constitution and the law is above tradition and voting should have been allowed … tradition aside, the Speaker should have taken up the motion [but] he did not listen and left.”

    Shehbaz tweeted, “This partisan behaviour does not suit the custodian of the House. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics!”

    Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that PM Khan was “fleeing the pitch”.

    Taking to Twitter, Bilawal wrote, “Speaker provided another weak excuse to avoid tabling the no-trust move.”

    “Imran can’t run forever. PM has no sportsman spirit and cannot face defeat with grace. The once great Kaptaan will go down like a rat on a sinking ship,” he said.

    Prior to the session, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted, “Nothing will happen in the assembly session today.”

  • Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Chaudhry Nisar refuses to join PTI

    Nawaz Sharif’s close aide Chaudhry Nisar refuses to join PTI

    Estranged Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party member and former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan revealed that he will not join Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) despite his meeting with Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan, according to Daily Jang.

    “Nisar will neither return to PML-N nor work under Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, hence will maintain his independent status,” said the news outlet’s sources.

    On Wednesday, PM Khan said that he met Chaudhry. “I have had an association with him [Chaudhry] for the last 40 years,” he revealed, adding that Nisar will be “taking all political decisions himself”.

    Jang report further reveals that Chaudhry was offered chief ministership of Punjab when PTI came to power. However, at the time, Nisar refused it and thought that in an assembly, where the PML-N is in the Opposition, he would not be able to speak against PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif.

  • ‘Will surprise one day before the vote of no-confidence’: Khan announces he will not resign

    ‘Will surprise one day before the vote of no-confidence’: Khan announces he will not resign

    Announcing that he will not resign in any case, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has said that he will fight the Opposition till the last ball and will give a surprise one day before the voting on the no-confidence motion, reports Geo News.

    Talking with journalists at the Prime Minister’s House, PM Khan said that the word “neutral” was misinterpreted. He said that the context of the word “neutral” was to promote goodwill and to prevent evil.

    PM Imran Khan said it was wrong to consistently attack and criticise the army as a powerful military was crucial for Pakistan. “Had the army not been here, the country would have split into three parts.”

    “The army should not be criticised for politicking,” he said.

    PM Khan further said that the politics of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is to cover up their theft.

    “Someone may have misunderstood that I will sit at home. I will not resign under any circumstances. I will not pull out from a fight,” said PM Khan.

    The premier said that he will win the match of no-confidence, and that he will not resign at the request of the corrupt gang.

    “The people are with me, 60 to 65 per cent of the honourable people are with me,” said the premier.

    The Prime Minister said that after March 27, his support will go above 90 per cent. “My trump card is that I have not shown any card yet,” said Khan.

    PM Imran Khan was asked about shaking hands with the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly, Shehbaz Sharif, to which he responded that he could not shake hands with a person steeped in corruption. “His [Shehbaz Sharif’s] politics will come to an end after his no-confidence motion.”

    “In which constitution is it to overthrow the government by spending money?” questioned the prime minister.

    The prime minister said he would “never” hold a consultative meeting with Shahbaz, as he stressed that the Sharif brothers — Shahbaz and Nawaz Sharif — and Asif Ali Zardari were “corruption brands” of Pakistan.

    When asked about former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar, PM Khan said that he met Chaudhry Nisar and has a 40-year-old relationship with him.

  • ‘MQM-P will announce they are with us in a day or two,’ Fazl claims

    ‘MQM-P will announce they are with us in a day or two,’ Fazl claims

    After meeting with Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the party [MQM-P] will announce that they are with the Opposition in a day or two.

    Fazl made the announcement alongside MQM-P’s party members in Karachi where he further said that the government allies are no more with them, adding that he is completely satisfied that the no-confidence motion will be successful.

    The PDM chief said the language Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan has used during the recent rallies in Khyber Pakhtunkwa (KP) is not of an “honourable person”. “I think it is disrespectful to have such people assume such big offices,” he added.

    With the no-confidence motion date approaching soon, both the Opposition and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) are trying to woo government allies ahead of no-confidence motion which is to take place on March 25.

    It is pertinent to mention that the government’s ally in the Centre, the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA), has assured PM Imran Khan of complete support on the motion, while other allies i.e Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), MQM-P, and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) are still indecisive.

  • ‘Lifetime ban can curb horse-trading,’ says AGP Khalid Javed Khan

    ‘Lifetime ban can curb horse-trading,’ says AGP Khalid Javed Khan

    Attorney-General of Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan has said that the disqualification for a lifetime could curb horse-trading, which the Supreme Court has termed cancer.

    Speaking in Geo News programme “Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath”, Javed Khalid said that floor-crossing is not only illegal but also an immoral act. Penalty for crossing floor should not be a one-time disqualification if Article 63A is read with Article 62.

    AGP said that if the conscience of a parliamentarian awakens, he should resign and seek re-election. Article 63A does not apply to the government’s allies.

    Therefore, a parliamentarian crossing floor should be considered to have lost the qualities stated in Article 62 (1)(f) of Article 63A is to be made effective, AGP Khan said.

    As per the attorney general, the two questions — is Article 63A an isolated provision of the Constitution or is it part of the larger scheme that includes Article 62 (1)(f) — is the government’s case in the apex court.

  • Ex-Bestie’s wish: PTI requests Tareen group not to take extreme steps

    Ex-Bestie’s wish: PTI requests Tareen group not to take extreme steps

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) disgruntled Jahangir Khan Tareen (JKT) group leader Aun Chaudhry claimed that Defense Minister Pervez Khattak contacted him last night (Friday) and urged Chaudhry not to take decisions immediately as the government will soon update them regarding the latest developments.

    According to Geo News, Tareen group leaders announced that they wouldn’t meet the ruling party’s members after which Governor Sindh Imran Ismail tried to contact Jahangir Tareen but he was unable to get in touch with him.

    However, the disgruntled group is holding meetings with the Opposition.

    Recently, Minister for Water Resources and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q)’s leader Moonis Elahi went to London, where both Tareen and Nawaz Sharif are currently residing.

    Earlier this month, Tareen was discharged from a private clinic. To convey his best wishes, Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif sent him a bouquet.

    Previously, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s old friend Aleem Khan joined the JKT group. Later, he visited Tareen and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

  • 44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    44% say Khan should resign before no-confidence motion: survey

    According to a survey conducted by Ipsos, 44 per cent of respondents are of the view that Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan should resign ahead of the no-confidence motion while 33 per cent think he should fight it, reports Geo News.

    42 per cent of respondents are of the opinion that the no-trust motion would succeed against PM Khan while 26 per cent say the government would successfully defeat the motion and 31 per cent say that they are unsure about the outcome.

    To a question that if the no-confidence motion becomes successful, 27 per cent think Leader of the Opposition and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif should be the PM until new elections, 17 per cent say PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto and 6 per cent prefer PML-N’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as the new premier.

    However, after the general elections, 18 per cent want PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif to become PM, 16 per cent voted for Imran Khan, and 14 per cent for Shehbaz Sharif.

    According to the survey, a significant number of 48 per cent think that PTI’s allies should support the party’s rival, while only 27 per cent of the respondents said that the PTI coalition partners should come back to Khan.

  • ‘Maulana, you are acting like Maula Jutt. You will have to pay the price,’ warns Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘Maulana, you are acting like Maula Jutt. You will have to pay the price,’ warns Sheikh Rasheed

    Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Wednesday warned Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he would have to “pay the price” if the joint Opposition’s move to overthrow Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan pushes the country into anarchy.

    “[The] Opposition should fear lest this no-confidence motion pushes the country towards destabilisation,” Rasheed said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

    “We will not touch you, but if you disturb the law and order, then we will not spare you,” warned Rasheed.

    The minister said that it’s the first time Maulana Fazl has become furious and is playing the role of Maula Jutt.

    “It’s a shame. You have huge respect as a religious leader but the language you are using is not highlighting the principles of Islam.”

    “If it causes civil war and anarchy in the country, you’ll have to pay for it.”

    Rasheed said that PM Imran Khan will be benefitting even if he loses or wins in the vote of no-confidence against him as his popularity among the masses has increased massively during the last three weeks.

     Rasheed said that all members of parliament will be protected ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion.

  • ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    ‘Sari zindagi nappy change kartay rahainge kya, bachay ko neechay utarainge tu seekhe ga’: Pervaiz Elahi

    Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that it is important to put the baby down and let him/her learn to walk on its own.

    Without naming any names, the PML-Q leader said that “the work carried out on the government’s behalf never allowed it to learn things for itself.”

    “The child will learn to walk only when you put him down,” he said metaphorically. “Would you keep on changing nappies all his life?”

    Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi, while speaking on HUM News programme “Hum Meher Bokhari Kay Sath”, said that PM Khan was “100 per cent” in trouble because of the no-confidence motion against him.

    “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. They are going door to door, this is indication enough how troubled they are.”

    He further went on to share PML-Q’s grievances with the government. He said that all we have been showing is loyalty to the government and in return, all that is coming from their side is “dushmani“.

    The PML-Q leader said that they were still receiving threats and being blackmailed. “A week ago they said to NAB [National Accountability Bureau] to arrest Moonis [Minister for Water Resources and Pervaiz Elahi’s son].”

    Elahi said that he has already been offered Punjab’s chief ministership as well as electoral alliance — including seat-to-seat adjustment — by the Opposition alliance but the government has yet to make that offer.

    Elahi said: “We are waiting to see what the government has to offer. Maybe the government might do the same.”

     “The government 100 per cent lacks wisdom and understanding. The prime minister has a great desire for revenge, which is evident from the fact that he puts everyone in NAB and FIA. This is not how you govern,” he added.

    Elahi said that all that the government has done is ruin its relations with everyone. Without taking the PM’s name, the PML-Q leader said, “He has spoiled his relations with his own people as well. It is because of his own people that they are so worried. Tongue is one thing that can make or break things forever.”

    Elahi said that the Opposition alliance has the support of “more than required” lawmakers to pass the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly, warning that there are “plenty of surprises in store”.

    Talking about establishment, Elahi said, “DG ISPR has said on record that the establishment has nothing to do with politics, we are neutral in this. But did you see how he [PM] defined neutral, and said animals are neutral. Who was he saying this to?”

    He urged the government to move first and call off its planned political gathering for March 27, saying that it would put pressure on the Opposition to do the same.