The National Assembly’s (NA) session of Monday adjourned till March 31 after PML-N President and the leader of the opposition Shehbaz Sharif tabled the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri presided over today’s session in which the opposition, consisting of 162 members, filed the con-confidence motion in the lower house. Afterward, the counting procedure took place to determine the number of lawmakers in favor of the motion. With more than 155 lawmakers supporting the motion, the deputy speaker allowed the PMLN leader to move the motion.
“Through this resolution, under clause 1 of Article 95 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, this House resolves that it has no confidence in the prime minister, Mr. Imran Khan Niazi, and consequently, he shall cease to hold office under clause 4,” the opposition leader readout.
Subsequent to the tabling of the motion against the sitting Prime Minister, Suri adjourned the session till 4:00 pm, March 31. The ruling coalition currently has the support of 179 members of the National Assembly.
NA session on March 25
The National Assembly’s session was scheduled on March 25 to take up the no-trust motion, but following the assembly’s old traditions on the demise of a lawmaker, only Fateha was offered for Rehman Malik (late) and speeches were delivered after which the NA speaker adjourned the session till today.
What next?
Rule 37(5) of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly says that the speaker may, after considering the state of business, shall allow a day or two for discussion on the motion.
According to Article 95 of the Constitution and Assembly’s rules, a resolution of no-confidence against the Prime Minister shall not be voted before the expiry of three days and not later than seven days from the day, it was moved.