Parvez Elahi, a senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) and the sitting Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, announced on March 13th that a consensus had been reached and the present assemblies will complete their term.
The announcement was made after a two-day consultative meeting and after deliberation on the current political scenario of the country. Following the opposition’s vote of no-confidence against the ruling party, the country’s political situation is in turmoil, and the prospects of the ruling party continuing with its rule look grim.
Following the opposition’s submission of the vote of no confidence, Imran Khan is relying on the support of the coalition parties and his allies to survive the motion. Under Imran Khan’s directives, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail was also sent to persuade the senior delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). After a concerted effort to persuade the party, Imran Ismail could only furnish a stale response in which the MQM said that it would take its decision after reviewing the current political situation.
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The PML-Q, another party that is being speculated to be an ‘at-risk’ ally of the ruling party, announced that “If we join hands with the Opposition, we will resign from the ministries.” PML-Q currently has five seats in the National Assembly, with two portfolios — Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Housing & Works — in the federal cabinet along with speakership in Punjab Assembly. As per various sources, PML-Q was also offered the Punjab Chief Minister slot in exchange for their support against the government in this current vote of no-confidence.
The party leadership announced that the party has decided and final consultation was underway with other coalition partners (MQM and Balochistan Awami Party).” The senior leader of the PMLQ did not reveal what decision had been taken.
I guess the opposition is just giving an opinion regarding National Assembly. As far as provincial assemblies are concerned it’s very clear the opposition intends those assemblies to compete their term. Regarding National it will also complete its term.
— Barrister khurram Baig (@ksbaig2000) March 13, 2022
Following Mr. Elahi’s statement, reports emerged that the party had joined hands with the opposition to support their bid against the government. However, confirmation is still awaited.
Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) has already thrown its weight behind fresh elections. However, Parvez Elahi’s statement suggests that the change might only be centered around the federal government, and provincial assemblies might continue functioning as per routine.
Another issue that the Chaudhary’s discussed in the meeting was PTI’s decision to keep its members away from the Assembly when the house is in session for voting on the no-confidence resolution.
Read more: Imran Ismail sent to persuade the disgruntled Aleem Khan
Ministers and other officials have threatened PTI lawmakers with disqualification in case anyone violates the party’s directives. Under article 63A, the speaker has the authority to disqualify members over floor-crossing. Reports have emerged that the ruling party would not let dissenting members cross the floor on the voting day under Article 63-A of the constitution.
In response to such speculations, Elahi said that the constitution left very little to the imagination adding that “the constitution and law are very clear, the NA speaker should abide by it.”
The PML-Q’s consultative meeting was chaired by Shujaat and Elahi and attended by Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Tariq Bashir Cheema, Moonis Elahi, Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Hussain Elahi, and Chaudhry Imtiaz Ranjha.
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The opposition would require 172 in its favor for the motion to be successful.
Reports of a vote of no-confidence against the speaker of the National Assembly against his “biased remarks” have also emerged.