No-confidence move: Shahbaz accuses NA deputy speaker of ignoring constitutional procedure

Islamabad: National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri once again failed to follow the constitutional procedure by calling the debate session on the no-trust motion off, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif said on Thursday.

Flanked by other joint Opposition leaders, including PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Shahbaz told a press conference that when the deputy speaker saw that the members of the Parliament wanted to vote against the premier, "he ran away."

The PML-N leader further said the entire nation saw that 172 Opposition members were present in the house, however, the deputy speaker did not allow the voting. "The whole country is shocked, including the judiciary," he maintained.

Today, as per the agenda of the National Assembly, a debate session was to be held on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan after which — according to the law — the speaker has to hold voting within four days.

The Opposition leader further added that he, along with Bilawal, went to the NA secretary after the deputy speaker adjourned the session till April 3.

"The secretary informed us that the decision regarding not holding the debate related to the no-confidence motion was taken by the deputy speaker," Shahbaz said.

Shahbaz questioned: “Does this "selected" prime minister have any constitutional or ethical justification left?”

He further added that the Opposition had decided not to take extreme measures which are against the law, adding that all members of the joint Opposition showed the Imran Khan-led government that his time is over and the “finishing line is near.”

Addressing the government’s allegations against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif regarding his involvement in “foreign conspiracy”, Shahbaz said that the people of Pakistan are "ashamed" of the word used by the premier.

“He [Imran Khan] stooped to the lowest level of impropriety by levelling baseless allegations against Nawaz, accusing him of having contacted Israeli intelligence agencies and inviting them to get involved in national matters of Pakistan,” he said.

At this, the Opposition leader questioned the premier regarding PTI’s foreign funding donors.

Imran has no choice now, can save his honour by resigning: Bilawal

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said Imran Khan was holding everyone's feet to save his chair, but he had no choice now. "Stop this escape."

He said counting should be done according to democratic tradition, adding Imran Khan would never get NRO.

Bilawal criticised Imran Khan for harming foreign policy of the country.

He said the way Imran Khan got power was illegal and now he could save his honor by resigning.

The PPP stalwart said hopefully on the day of voting the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker would not take the constitution in hand.

"We want to save the country from chaos, The path taken by the government will be followed by the Opposition."

Bialwal said Shahbaz Sharif would be made the Prime Minister.