ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday requested National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar to immediately convene a session of the lower house of parliament and allow tabling of a no-confidence motion by the opposition to rid the nation of the prevailing uncertainty and chaos.

The government again warned the opposition that it would face the worse situation if its no-trust move failed.

“We request the speaker to immediately present the motion in the house because the country cannot afford the prevailing crisis,” Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said at a press conference.

On the other hand, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Shahbaz Gill at a separate press conference warned the opposition that it would face a “hard time” once Prime Minister Imran Khan clinched the vote of confidence from the house.

Babar Awan reveals ruling coalition’s strategy for no-trust session

The opposition had on Tuesday submitted to the NA Secretariat a no-confidence motion against the prime minister and also requisitioned the National Assembly because it is currently not in session.

Fawad Chaudhry said the ruling PTI had the support of at least 184 lawmakers in the National Assembly — sufficient to defeat the opposition’s motion. “I challenge the opposition to bring the motion to the house if they have 172 numbers,” he added.

The minister said the government would not hold any talks with the opposition, adding that “we tried to talk to them on electoral reforms and other matters of public interest, but they did not respond to us”. He said the fading popularity of the PPP and PML-N — the two main opposition parties — due to their corruption would result in their downfall. Asked if the allies still stood by the government, Mr Chaudhry said “good meetings” were held with them and they were with the “strong government”.

“Matters are in super control and you will see more clearly in the next one to two days,” he added.

Govt members won’t attend

Separately, on Wednesday, the cabinet member responsible for parliamentary business has revealed that government members are unlikely to attend the NA session requisitioned by the opposition.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan told DawnNews that the ruling coalition had decided that its members would abstain from voting on the no-trust resolution.

Mr Awan also hinted that the NA speaker might convene the sitting of the lower house at some other place as the main hall of the assembly was presently undergoing renovation. “If everything is found in order vis-a-vis the motion, members of PTI and its allies won’t be in the house. The speaker will go there, I can’t cast my vote so I will also be there,” said Mr Awan while elaborating the government’s plan.

Published in Dawn, March 10th, 2022