ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPs have resigned from the national parliament ahead of Monday’s vote for speaker.
Shehbaz Sharif, President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was scheduled to fight the election against PTI candidate Shah Mehmood Qureshi, but the PTI MPs have decided to boycott the session.
The decision to withdraw from the assembly was made at the party’s parliamentary meeting on Monday, which was chaired by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The party has decided to focus its efforts on getting people to speak out against the new federal government.
Speaking to reporters during the parliamentary meeting, former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that there could be no greater betrayal of the nation than ‘electing or appointing a prime minister who is facing billions of rupees in corruption investigations. We are resigning from our positions in the assemblies. ‘
The National Assembly is expected to pick a new Prime Minister after the ouster of previous Prime Minister Imran Khan in the early hours of Sunday following a no-confidence vote against him.
People from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf both put in papers for the job of prime minister.
The House Leader will be chosen by a vote held in two lobbies of the NA designated for the purpose. Following the conclusion of the voting process, the Speaker will proclaim the winner.
It should be remembered that in the 342-member House, 172 votes are necessary to be named Leader of the House.