Sit-in inside NA if no-confidence move not tabled on Monday, Opposition leaders warn

Islamabad: The joint Opposition Saturday warned the PTI-led government of staging sit-in inside the National Assembly if the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan was not tabled on Monday (March 21).

The warning came at a press conference jointly addressed by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari,  Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif, and BNP-M chief Akhtar Mengal. 

Bilawal said if NA Speaker Asad Qaiser adopted "undemocratic" practices, the Opposition would show resistance. 

"If this happens, I will convince all the opposition parties to stage a sit-in outside the NA. If the motion is not tabled on Monday, we will not disperse from outside the Parliament; we will see how you will hold the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) conference," he said.

The OIC session of foreign ministers is set to take place in Islamabad from March 22 to 23.

The PPP chairman said the government was threatening lawmakers against voting in favour of the no-confidence motion, which is seeking the ouster of PM Imran Khan.

"But despite that, I want to congratulate the people of Pakistan that PM Imran Khan has lost the house's majority; this is a victory for Pakistanis," Bilawal asserted.

Addressing Asad Qaiser, Shehbaz said that he should "come to his senses" and "not become party to Prime Minister Imran Khan."

"Don't let democracy derail, otherwise neither history nor the people of Pakistan would forgive you," Shahbaz said to Qaiser.

"If the speaker fails to put the House in order, we will be compelled to stage a protest." The PML-N leader said the Opposition would not allow anyone to violate the Constitution.

Shehbaz maintained that before coming to power, Imran Khan used to stand atop a container and make tall claims about destroying the Opposition, but now he has understood that the no-confidence motion to oust him from the office will be successful.

"Although the PM accused us [the Opposition] of taking a bribe, the government's allies are testifying that we did not take a single penny from anyone," said Shahbaz.

He questioned the PTI about engaging in horse-trading in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir, and said that "such a person [PM Imran Khan] can take any step against the constitutional motion of no-confidence."

"He who believes in victory never wants a fight," Shahbaz said, adding that all PTI members should have the right to vote in accordance with their consciences.

For his part, PDM chief Fazl said the Opposition would be standing by the truth as he predicted that their aim to oust the incumbent prime minister was near.

But he regretted the abusive language some public office holders and government lawmakers used against the Opposition and disgruntled PTI MPs.

"We have neither taught the nation the politics of abuse nor our party workers," a charged PDM chief lashed out at PM Imran Khan.

Fazl said he was against the incumbent prime minister since day one, but expressed hope of ousting the premier. He added that the PM will face "exemplary humiliation".