A no-confidence vote was put forward against Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday by Shahbaz Sharif, a member of the opposition and the leader of Pakistan’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N).
Deputy NA Speaker Qasim Suri asked during the session that all members of Parliament who voted in favor of the motion stand up so their votes could be tabulated. The Constitution says that at least 20% of the MNAs in the legislature must back the move.
After tallying the members who rose in support, the deputy speaker authorised a debate on the no-confidence motion, adding that it would take place on Thursday, March 31, at 4 p.m.
According to reports, soon before the session, the NA speaker spoke with opposition leaders and informed them that the session would be ended after the no-confidence resolution was presented.
According to reports, the leaders decided to reconvene the session and have a vote on the no-trust resolution.
In NA, the government’s figures are as follows:
- PTI — 155
- MQM-P — 7
- PML-Q — 5
- BAP — 5
- GDA — 3
- Independent — 2
- AML — 1
- JWP — 1
- Total: 179
Opposition’s numbers in NA:
- PML-N — 84
- PPP — 56
- MMA — 15
- BNP-M — 4
- Independent — 2
- ANP — 1
- Total: 162
The most recent NA session concluded nearly as quickly as it started with the Holy Quran recital. Instead of debating the premier’s no-confidence motion, NA Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned the session.
