Joint opposition warns of sit-in outside NA if no-trust motion not tabled till (Monday)
ISLAMABAD, Mar 19 (SABAH): The joint opposition on Saturday warned the Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf-led government that if the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan is not tabled tomorrow (Monday), then it will stage a sit-in outside the National Assembly.
In a press conference alongside Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, and BNP-M Chief Sardar Muhammad Akhtar Jan Mengal, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said if NA Speaker Asad Qaiser adopts “undemocratic” practices, the Opposition would resist.
“If this happens, I will convince all the Opposition parties to stage a sit-in outside the NA. If the motion is not tabled Monday we will not disperse from outside the Parliament; then we will see how you will hold the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) conference,” he said.
The PPP chairman said the government was threatening lawmakers against voting in favour of the no-confidence motion — seeking the ouster of PM Imran Khan.
“But despite that, I want to congratulate the people of Pakistan that PM Imran Khan has lost the house’s majority; this is a victory for Pakistanis,” Bilawal Bhutto said.
The PPP chairman said that the Speaker wants to violate law, rules and the constitution, adding that he must call the session on Monday so the proceeding of the no-confidence motion starts and if the session is not called or the process of no-confidence does not start after offering prayers and Fateha for the members who have passed away, then we will see how they are able to hold the OIC conference.
“The national and international situation demands for the law, rules and constitution to be followed and if this does not happen, then we will keep sitting there until we do not get our right.”
Responding questions by the journalists, he said that Imran has been defeated and the bureaucracy is not bound to take any order from him. The president should also not take any suggestion by Imran Khan. The entire lawyers’ community has filed a petition in the Supreme Court which is being heard.
He also appreciated the Supreme Court for taking notice of the attack on the Sindh House. The opposition wants for the OIC conference to be held peacefully but the Prime Minister has ruined the environment. If the Speaker starts the no-confidence motion after the Fateha then there will be no problem, Chairman Bilawal said.
Addressing Asad Qaiser, Shahbaz Sharif said that he should “come to his senses” and “not become party to Prime Minister Imran Khan.”
“Don’t let democracy derail, otherwise neither history nor the people of Pakistan would forgive you,” Shahbaz said to Qaiser. “If the speaker fails to put the House in order, we will be compelled to stage a protest.” He added that the Opposition will not allow anyone to violate the Constitution.
Shedding light on Friday’s incident when hordes of PTI members, including two MNAs, violently protested outside the Sindh House and barged into the building to throw the disgruntled members out, Shahbaz said that “it was not a trivial matter.” “It was a highly unfortunate incident as rioters invaded the Sindh House,” he said.
He said that the attack on Sindh House was not only about the integrity of Sindh but it was an assault on Pakistan, adding that in a bid to preserve democracy in the country, the Opposition had to swallow a bitter pill and tolerate a lot of things.
Shahbaz Sharif maintained that before coming to power, Imran Khan used to stand atop a container and make tall claims about destroying the Opposition, but now he has understood that the no-confidence motion to oust him from the office will be successful.
“Although the PM accused us [the Opposition] of taking a bribe, the government’s allies are testifying that we did not take a single penny from anyone,” said Shahbaz sharif.
He questioned the PTI about engaging in horse-trading in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir, and said that “such a person PM Imran Khan can take any step against the constitutional motion of no-confidence.”
“He who believes in victory never wants a fight,” Shahbaz said, adding that all PTI members should have the right to vote in accordance with their consciences.
Adding to Shahbaz’s comment, Akhtar Mengal said that the attack on the Sindh House was indeed a regrettable incident, adding that it is surprising how such incidents could take place in a high-security area like the federal capital’s Red Zone.
Referring to the Islamabad Police baton-charging on Baloch students earlier this month, Mengal said: “When our children protest in Islamabad peacefully, they [the government] accuses them of terrorism.
He opined that the attack on the Sindh House warrants the imposition of Section 144. But instead of that, the attackers are released from custody.
“I think Imran Khan is not going to be clean-bowled but will be sent back to the pavilion through a hit-wicket dismissal,” he said.
For his part, PDM Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the Opposition would be standing by the truth as he predicted that their aim to oust the incumbent prime minister was near.
But he regretted the abusive language some public office holders and government lawmakers used against the Opposition and disgruntled PTI MPs.
“We have neither taught the nation the politics of abuse nor our party workers,” a charged PDM chief lashed out at PM Imran Khan.
Maulana Fazl said he was against the incumbent prime minister since day one, but expressed hope of ousting the premier and handing him an “exemplary humiliation”.
“When these disgruntled MNAs people used to come in your aeroplane, then it was their conscience’s voice, but now, you are calling them donkeys and mules,” he said berating the premier.