NA session adjourned despite Opposition's demand for vote on no-trust motion against PM

ISLAMABAD: Minutes after the start of the crucial National Assembly session for debate on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the deputy speaker adjourned the session till April 3.

As per the details, the NA session started after a delay of more than an hour in the House. The session was held under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, with more than 172 members from the Opposition benches in attendance.

As per the 24-point agenda issued by the NA Secretariat for today’s session, the debate on the no-trust move against PM Imran was fourth in order.

As the session kicked off, during the question and answer session, all the Opposition members demanded the deputy speaker allow voting on the no-confidence motion.

At this, Suri said due to the "non-serious" attitude of the Opposition lawmakers, the session is being adjourned till Sunday — almost 10 minutes after it had started.

But despite the session's adjournment, Opposition lawmakers — who are around 150 in number — have staged a sit-in in the lower house.

Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif had tabled the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan on March 28 — making him the third premier in Pakistan's history to face the move. The notice of no-confidence resolution against PM Imran Khan was signed by 152 opposition members.

NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri had allowed Shehbaz Sharif to table the no-trust motion against the premier after 161 lawmakers backed the motion for its presentation.

As per the Constitution, at least 20% of the total members of the House are required to support the resolution for its admission and tabling.

"This House is of the view that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, has lost the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, therefore, he should cease to hold office," read the resolution.

Meanwhile, the deputy speaker had approved a discussion on the no-confidence motion, adding that it will take place on March 31 (today), at 4pm. However, voting on the resolution is expected to take place between April 1-4.

"The resolution shall not be voted upon before the expiry of three days, or later than seven days, from the day on which the resolution is moved in the Assembly," the rules of the NA read.

Number game

Following MQM-P’s decision to abandon the PTI-led government just a day before the debate over the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the numbers game has become more interesting.

Both sides need 172 votes to claim victory on the day of voting over the motion, which was tabled by Shahbaz Sharif on Monday.

PTI, including the alliance parties, had 178 seats, while the Opposition had 163 seats; however, due to the constant efforts of the joint Opposition to woo the allies of the government, the numbers have moved around.

However, following MQM-P’s decision to join hands with the Opposition and the defection of PTI MNAs, the ruling coalition now has 142 members in its favour, while 199 members are expected to vote against PM Imran Khan.