Islamabad [Pakistan], March 30 (ANI): Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government received a major blow by the key ally and the main coalition partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM) after it struck a deal with the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). “The united opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. Rabta committee MQM and PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan,” tweeted PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The PTI government lost the majority in the lower house of the parliament following the late-night development ahead of the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan on March 31. The joint opposition has 177 members of the national assembly after the ruling coalition partner MQM-P decided to part ways with the Imran Khan-led government that has left with 164 MNAs.

Notably, in order to make the no-confidence motion against the prime minister successful, the joint opposition requires the support of 172 MNAs. Meanwhile, after Imran Khan alleged that some people are trying to topple his government with the help of foreign funds, federal minister Asad Umar claimed that the PM is ready to show a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial to back his claims.

PM Imran had said during his rally, “Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used. Mostly inadvertently, but some people are using money against us. We know from what places attempts are being to pressure us. We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest.” (ANI)

Pakistan: MQM-P, ally of PTI decides to support Opposition’s no-confidence motion against PM

Islamabad [Paksitan], March 30 (ANI): Amid the political chaos, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf got another shock as Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM-P), an ally of the PTI-led government, decided to join hands with the opposition to support them in the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan.
After this development, the government has lost its majority in the lower house of the Pakistan parliament and even in the no-confidence motion against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, which is expected to take place on April 3, Geo TV reported. With 177 members, the Opposition has now more numbers of supporters in the national assembly and they don’t need the support of disgruntled PTI MNAs. While on other hand the Pakistani government has only 164 members in the parliament.

The Pakistani National Assembly has a total strength of 342 members, with the majority mark being 172. The PTI-led coalition was formed with the support of 179 members, but now, after MQM-P left the party, PTI is standing with 164 members in support and the Opposition has now 177 members of supporters in the national assembly and they don’t need the support of disgruntled PTI MNAs.

The MQM-P’s decision to support the Opposition came after both sides signed a draft prepared by Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab. The signatories also include the leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and Pakistan People’s Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, according to Geo TV citing sources.

MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari confirmed the report about MQM-P siding with the opposition and tweeted, “The agreement between the joint Opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan has been finalised.” “After the ratification of the proposed agreement by the PPP CEC (Central Executive Committee of PPP), MQM-Pakistan Coordinating Committee, the details will be revealed before the media tomorrow at 4 pm,” he added.

In a statement, an MQM-P spokesperson also confirmed the party’s Rabta Committee would meet at their Bahadurabad office, at 2 pm today, where the draft would be presented for ratification. PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also confirmed the news on Twitter and said, “Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan.”

Reacting to the above development, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shahbaz Gill swiped at MQM-p and said, “Middle-class parties do not make decisions in the middle of the night. Such work is done by the elite. But if you watch N-League TV, they are breathing a sigh of relief right now.”

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, MQM-P in a bid to put pressure on the ruling party has asked the government to fulfil three demands: ensure the safe recovery of over 100 of its missing workers, reopen their sealed offices and remove false and baseless cases against the party leaders and workers. Moreover, MQM-P leader Waseem Akhtar said that if the slot of Punjab Chief Minister can be offered to a party (PML-Q) with just five seats in the National Assembly, then MQM-P has seven members, reported the News International.

After the no-confidence motion against Imran Khan was tabled in the National Assembly with a total of 161 votes in favour, the proceedings were adjourned till March 31. The no-confidence motion was submitted by the Opposition parties on March 8. The Opposition has been confident that its motion would be carried as many PTI lawmakers have come out in the open against PM Imran Khan. (ANI)

Pak: Imran Khan orders PTI members not to attend no-confidence motion

Islamabad [Pakistan], March 30 (ANI): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday has directed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members of the National Assembly not to participate in the no-confidence motion either by abstaining from voting or not attending the session on March 31.
Khan “strictly” directed PTI’s members of the National Assembly (MNAs) to not participate in the no-confidence motion against him and warned them of action if they disobey the orders, reported Geo News.
In a letter to PTI MNAs, Khan said, “All the members of the (PTI) in the National Assembly shall abstain from voting/not attend the meeting of the National Assembly on the date when the said resolution is set out on the agenda.”
PM Imran Khan warned the party lawmakers that “every or any” violation of the directions would be treated as an “express defection” in terms of Article 63(A).
The letter also mentioned that designated PTI members would speak during the debate on the no-confidence motion, reported Geo News.
The letter comes after the Opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly moved a no-confidence motion against Imran Khan‘s government on Monday, as he tried to shore up a wavering coalition over accusations of mismanagement and foreign policy bungles.
The lower house will start debating the motion on Thursday and Imran Khan has tried to steady the ship ahead of a likely no-confidence vote next week.