National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned the session with the no-confidence motion on the agenda till 12:30 pm. The move by the Speaker came abruptly after lawmakers began chanting slogans during Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s speech.
The historic session of the National Assembly began today at 10:30 am to decide PM Imran Khan’s fate amid the no-confidence motion. Speaking on the floor of NA, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif hailed Thursday as a historic day in the country’s history when the Supreme Court rejected the deputy speaker’s ruling.
“SC decision had made Pakistan’s future bright,” he said.
Read more: Constitutional crisis of no confidence motion: In conflict with democratic norms?
To clarify, Thursday, the Supreme Court, in a landmark verdict, retained the opposition’s no-trust motion against PM Khan. The SC ruled that the deputy speaker’s ruling was a violation of the Constitution and nullified the dissolution of the National Assembly (NA).
However, during Shehbaz Sharif’s speech, several of the 151 PTI MNAs present in the house started interrupting by chanting slogans.
Shehbaz Sharif told the speaker to conduct the session as per the order of the Supreme Court. He added that today, the Opposition will oust the “selected” prime minister by adopting a lawful and constitutional procedure.
On the other hand, the NA Speaker stated that the house will hold a discussion on the “foreign conspiracy” against PM Khan. In response, Shehbaz Sharif reminded the Speaker that it is his duty to follow the orders of the Supreme Court.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s speech
After Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood took the floor and accepted that it is the Opposition’s right to submit a no-confidence motion. However, it is the government’s responsibility to defend itself from the motion.
During his speech, Shah Mahmood Qureshi criticized the Opposition. He said the Opposition demanded fresh elections. But when PM Khan announced it, “the Opposition staged a drama”.
Furthermore, Shah Mahmood Qureshi also highlighted the seriousness of the “threat letter” controversy. On the other hand, the Opposition began a ruckus and demanded that the Speaker should conduct the voting. However, Speaker Asad Qaiser decided to adjourn the session until 12:30pm.
Federal Minister @SMQureshiPTI speaking about the foreign conspiracy. Opposition hasn’t showed enough patience to listen to it! #امپورٹڈ_حکومت_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/Vubr7rf6o7
— PTI (@PTIofficial) April 9, 2022