Ex-President and PPP co-chair Asif Ali Zardari said Thursday that he would welcome Prime Minister Imran Khan as the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly.
Today, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the government’s plan to get rid of the National Assembly (NA) and NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri’s decision to do so was against the Constitution.
The Supreme Court has directed NA Speaker Asad Qasier to convene the session on Saturday (April 9) at 10:30 a.m. to enable a vote on the premier’s no-confidence motion.
Asif Ali Zardari said in a statement after the court’s decision that he would welcome Prime Minister Imran Khan as the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and that he would work with him.
Asif Zardari remarked, “After Pakistan elects Shahbaz Sharif as Prime Minister, Imran Khan will become the opposition leader, which I would warmly welcome.”
Additionally, the former president expressed optimism that Prime Minister Imran Khan would serve as a democratic opposition leader.
The arrangement
The SC ruling stated: “As a result of the aforesaid, it is declared that the Prime Minister was and continues to be subject to the restriction imposed by the Explanation to clause (1) of Article 58 of the Constitution at all material times.” So, he could not have asked the President to get rid of the Assembly in line with clause (1) of Article 58.
“As a result of the aforesaid, it is declared that the Prime Minister’s recommendation to the President on or around 03.04.2022 to dissolve the Assembly was contrary to the Constitution and without legal effect,” the court judgement stated.
In addition, the Supreme Court said that the Assembly has been around at all times and will be around for a long time to come.
Additionally, the supreme court said that the speaker could not prorogue the Assembly and adjourn the session if the no-confidence motion fails or if a new prime minister is elected after a no-confidence vote.
The court determined that no member would be denied the right to vote. Additionally, it added that if the no-trust motion is defeated, the government will continue to do business as usual.
The ruling from the highest court said if the no-confidence resolution against the prime minister is successful, parliament will pick a new prime minister.