Political challenges ahead as PM Imran Khan concludes Russia visit
The challenge of no-confidence motion ahead as Prime Minister Imran Khan successfully concluded his two-day official visit to Russia.
ISLAMABAD: The challenge of no-confidence motion ahead as Prime Minister Imran Khan successfully concluded his two-day official visit to Russia.
The PM Imran Khan-led government passed through the criticism over the premier’s recent visit to Russia which is said to be possessing strategic importance amid the Ukraine crisis.
During his visit, PM Imran Khan had received an extraordinary welcome from the Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, the premier will now face an internal challenge of the political genre after his return to Pakistan.
The opposition parties have finalised a strategy to launch a phase-wise no-confidence motion against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that is likely to begin the ousters from the Speaker National Assembly.
No-confidence motion: PML-Q shows its cards to opposition
All opposition parties have joined hands to oust the PTI government’s top office-bearers in phases without resigning from the country’s national and provincial assemblies. The opposition parties expedited making contacts with the ally parties of the federal government and dissident lawmakers of the ruling political party.
On the other hand, the federal government has hinted at contacting the disgruntled leader of PTI, Jahangir Tareen, who has the support of many lawmakers in the provincial and national assemblies.
Sources told News360 that the federal government is likely to contact Jahangir Tareen-led group of lawmakers to appease them for being on its side instead of diverting towards the opposition for the no-confidence motion.
Yesterday, an ally party of the PTI government in the Centre and Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid led by Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, has been contacted by the Speaker National Assembly (NA) Asad Qaiser.
Opposition reluctant to bring no-confidence motion against PTI govt
It was the recent contact by the federal government to a key political party amid the speculations of their bargaining with the opposition parties readying themselves to bring a no-confidence motion. It was learnt that PML-Q sought the chief ministership of Punjab in return for backing the ouster of the PTI government.
When Qaiser contacted Moonis Elahi, who is also the Federal Minister of Water Resources and a member of the federal cabinet, the PML-Q leader assured his party’s support to the PTI government and termed their contacts with the opposition leaders just ‘political discussions’.
Speaker National Assembly @AsadQaiserPTI sb called me and we discussed current situation. I told him that political discussions and consultations are going on . This does not mean any decision has been taken. We are bound to our commitments and will honor them fully.
— Moonis Elahi (@MoonisElahi6) February 24, 2022
Moreover, the premier had also hinted at visiting the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) Bahadurabad headquarters during his upcoming visit to Karachi.
Upon the return of the premier, the government’s strategy will be made clearer to cope with the political challenges of the no-confidence motion, long march of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) besides gaining the confidence of its allies.
PML-Q shows cards
The ally party of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the Centre and Punjab, Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q) had shown its cards to the opposition that ramps up efforts to bring a no-confidence motion against the incumbent government.
No-confidence motion: Shehbaz, Fazl in disarray after responding to PPP’s call
The PML-Q had shown its importance to the opposition that is near finalising a no-confidence move strategy against the PTI-led federal government.
It may be noted here that a delegation of PML-Q led by Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi met Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House, Lahore on Wednesday.
In another development on Wednesday, the opposition parties had formed a joint committee to finalise the strategy of no-confidence motion after considering to oust Speaker National Assembly (NA) in the first phase of giving the first blow to the ruling party in the Centre.
Sources said that PML-Q sought the position of Punjab chief minister in return for backing the no-confidence motion of the opposition parties. Sources added that PML-Q has claimed for having the support of 11 members of the National Assembly (MNAs).
Analysts had said that PML-Q will become a trump card for the opposition and the PTI government if its claims for having the support of 11 MNAs as the opposition fell short of at least 10 NA lawmakers to get its no-confidence motion successful.
They added that PML-Q’s support to the no-trust move to get chief ministership in Punjab would also go in favour of the ruling PTI as it will further expose and dent the opposition’s public reputation.
