PDM mulls options to foil PTI’s plan to dissolve Punjab, KP assemblies
In a bid to counter an expected move by PTI to dissolve the Punjab and KP assemblies, the PML-N called a parliamentary party meeting on Monday (today) to discuss options available for dislodging the alliance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q).
The meeting of the PML-N’s parliamentary party will be held on Monday (today) in the provincial secretariat of Model Town under the chairmanship of opposition leader Hamza Shehbaz Sharif.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan announced in Rawalpindi on Saturday that party lawmakers will resign from the provincial assemblies to pressurize the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government at the Center for early elections across the country.
In the 371-member Punjab Assembly, the opposition parties have the support of 179 lawmakers, including 167 from the PML-N, seven from the PPP, four independent and one from the Rah Haq Party. PML-N required seven more votes for a successful no-confidence motion against PTI backed Punjab Chief Minister Pervez Elahi.
The opposition cannot rely on the support of the dissident MPAs of PTI and PML-Q as per the Supreme Court’s order, their votes will not be counted if polls are held against the party’s policy.
Another possibility is for the governor to ask the chief minister to take a vote of confidence, as dissident lawmakers of the ruling coalition may abstain from voting during the no-confidence vote and thus avoid possible impeachment.
In an apparent move to bar the governor from directing the chief minister to take a vote of confidence under clause 7 of Article 130 of the constitution, the PTI-PML-Q alliance is keeping the assembly in session, whose sittings are held after weeks and without any worthwhile business.
Imran Khan’s announcement resulted in a flurry of political activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as well where all major opposition parties decided to consult their central leadership to formulate a strategy to counter a potential move by the PTI to dissolve the assembly.
