On PM Imran's directives PTI finalises references against dissident lawmakers

Islamabad: Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chairman Imran Khan on Friday directed to file a reference to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser against the dissident party lawmakers.

“Following the directives of Prime Minister and Chairman PTI Imran Khan, references have been finalised against the dissident MNAs of the party,” said a statement issued after meeting between the Adviser to Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan and PTI Additional Secretary-General MNA Amir Kayani.

According to the statement, the reference will also contain “documented evidence” against the PTI’s dissident MNAs and that PM Imran has rejected the dissident MNA’s response to the show-cause notice, terming them “unsatisfactory”.

Babar Awan said PM Imran has ordered “strict legal action against the unconscionable MNAs”. 

“MNA’s involved in horse trading openly deviated from party chief's instructions,” said Awan, adding that the references will be sent to the NA speaker soon for legal action against the disgruntled PTI MNAs.

As many 14 dissident PTI MNAs were issued show-cause notices on March 19 for allegedly allying with the Opposition in the no-trust motion against PM Imran Khan.

The notices were served following the dissident MNAs' decision to "seek refuge" at the Sindh House.

The dissident lawmakers were given seven days to present themselves before PM Imran Khan.

The notice had mentioned that the interviews given to the media outlets by these members show that they have left the PTI and, therefore, they are directed to present themselves before the party chairman.

On March 26, 13 dissident lawmakers responded to the show-cause notices and termed the allegations against them as baseless.

MNAs also said their actions are not in violation of Article 63(A), which deals with the disqualification of parliamentarians who defect from their parties.