Deputy Speaker says the no-confidence vote against Imran deemed unconstitutional… reports Asian Lite News
The much-awaited vote on a no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was abruptly deemed “unconstitutional” on Sunday during what was expected to be a crucial National Assembly session, but was instead wrapped up within minutes of starting, Geo News reported.
The session started after a brief delay of over 30 minutes chaired by Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri. Khan himself was expected to attend the crucial session. However, he did not attend and it was reported that the premier would stay at PM House, unless an “extraordinary situation” occurs.
Earlier, it had been reported that Khan was confident that he will defeat the no-confidence motion against him, sources had said, adding that the premier has decided to fight till the last ball.
A delegation of opposition lawmakers submitted a no trust motion against National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in the NA Secretariat ahead of the voting on no-trust move against the premier.
More than 100 lawmakers from the Opposition parties have signed the no-confidence motion, including Ayaz Sadiq, Khursheed Shah, PPP’s Naveed Qamar and JUI-F’s Shahida Akhtar Ali.
Sarwar is out
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government on Sunday removed Governor of Punjab Mohammad Chaudhry Sarwar ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly, as well as of the election of a new provincial Chief Minister, The Express Tribune reported.
The decision to sack Sarwar was announced by Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet early Sunday morning.
Fawad said a new Punjab Governor will be announced later, adding: “Till then, the deputy speaker will perform duties as acting governor as per the Constitution.”
Sources said Sarwar was removed on the complaint of Punjab Assembly Speaker Pervaiz Elahi.
Elahi had accused Sarwar of siding with the Aleem Khan group which is supporting the opposition PML-N’s Hamza Shehbaz against the Speaker in the election of the the Punjab Chief Minister.
The Punjab Assembly will elect a new Chief Minister on Sunday with Elahi and Hamza Shehbaz being the two aspirants for the coveted post.
Both also appeared optimistic during the session and claimed to have the required number of lawmakers on their respective sides.
A day earlier, Hamza Shehbaz had said that the PML-N had more than the required number to become successful in its quest for the next chief executive of Pakistan’s most populous province and termed the current state of affairs in Punjab a result of the ruling party’s policies.
Answering another query about the number game in the provincial assembly to ensure his election as chief minister, Elahi had stated that everything was fine, The Express Tribune reported.
Beggars can’t be …
A recent interview of opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif has landed him in hot water over his “beggars cant be choosers” remarks in the context of bilateral relations between Islamabad and the US, Samaa TV reported.
The PML-N leader has now tried to defend his word with an explanation.
Journalist Shahzad Iqbal asked the opposition leader why appeasing the US is important for Pakistan when we should maintain an equal relationship.
In response, Shehbaz Sharif said that “beggars can’t be choosers, please understand”.
“We have to feed our nation. We have to send our children to school, we can’t fight with someone, can’t raise slogans against others,” he said.
“Who are we, we are the country which is fighting for its survival.”
His statement caused a stir on social media, and now Shehbaz Sharif says some people were “misinterpreting” his remarks.
The opposition leader said that it has always been his “conviction” that true independence comes from self-reliance, he said in a tweet.
The clarification, however, failed to cool down the anger among PTI supporters and several Twitter users started the trend “Pakistanis Sharminda Hai” (Pakistanis are ashamed) posting 10,000 tweets.
Social media users have been contrasting the statements by Prime Minister Imran Khan and Shehbaz Sharif, who will likely be a candidate for prime ministership after the no-confidence motion tabled in the National Assembly is passed on Sunday.