Opposition still running short of numbers to bring no-confidence motion

ISLAMABAD: The opposition parties are still running short of numbers to bring a no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led federal government and consistently delaying the final date for the move.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) central leader Syed Khursheed Shah had given a new date for bringing a no-confidence motion against the incumbent government on March 8 or 9, whereas, Prime Minister Imran Khan warned of severe actions against the opposition leaders after the failure of the no-trust move.

Earlier, PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman had given a 48-hour deadline to bring the no-confidence motion against the government, whereas, the opposition parties had shown unity to deseat PM Imran Khan via the no-trust move.

On Sunday, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had reached Nadeem Afzal Chan’s residence in Lahore where the former PM’s spokesperson formally announced its association with the PPP.

However, Bilawal Bhutto had clarified that he could not guarantee the success of the no-confidence motion. He had also said that a final decision was taken whether the no-trust move will be brought against PM Imran Khan or the National Assembly (NA) speaker first.

The deadlines of the PDM head and other opposition leaders including Ahsan Iqbal and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had ended but the move was not brought as yet.

Political analysts said that the delay in bringing a no-trust move is a clear message that the opposition is falling short of the required number to remove the premier from his position.

However, if the opposition introduces a no-confidence motion on March 8 or 9 then the speaker will be bound to conduct voting within seven days, they added.

They said that the fate of the no-confidence motion is still vague as the second-largest opposition party, PPP is unsure about its success.