Summery for KP Assembly dissolution to be sent tonight: CM Mahmood Khan

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday announced he would dissolve the provincial assembly tonight by 10pm in the "broader interest of the country".

CM Mahmood said that he would send the summary for the dissolution of the assembly tonight at 10pm; however, the governor refrained from commenting. KP Governor Haji Ghulam Ali said he would contemplate whether to sign the summary or not “once the summary is received”.

The provincial chief executive received directives from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to send the summary for the assembly's disbandment to KP Governor Ali.

CM Khan further said that the decision to dissolve the assembly had been taken in the wider interest of Pakistan.

Earlier today speaking during the 86th meeting of the provincial cabinet the KP chief minister said: "The last four years were very pleasant and I thank all the members, government and opposition members and bureaucracy."

Khan said that his party will form the government by winning two-thirds of the majority in the general elections.

He blamed the incumbent government for the instability in the country, saying that getting rid of the "corrupt group" has become indispensable.

KP Minister for Elementary and Secondary Education Shahram Khan Tarakai, addressing a press conference after the meeting, said that no one opposed the dissolution of the assembly.

'Assembly dissolution to pave way for general elections': Fawad 

Meanwhile, PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that the dissolution of the KP assembly will pave way for the general elections.

"The federal government will be sent packing in the next two weeks," said the PTI leader, adding that the real issue is the political crisis and not the economy.

'CM to send summary by midnight'

Later, briefing the media about decisions taken during the cabinet meeting, Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said Mahmood Khan will move the summary for dissolving the provincial legislative before midnight.

The SAPM made the remark while addressing a presser flanked by KP's Education Minister Shehram Khan, who said that today's meeting of the provincial cabinet was the "last meeting".

Shehram said that "no one opposed the assembly dissolution decision".

'KP CM asked to file no-trust move against him'

Earlier, Leader of the Opposition in KP Assembly Akram Khan Durrani revealed that Mahmood Khan, through a close associate, asked him to file a no-confidence motion against the CM in a bid to stop the assembly from dissolving.

Durrani said that three of the KP ministers have spoken to his aide regarding this matter. 

Differences in PTI over assembly dissolution

It may be noted that senior PTI leader Parvez Khattak has opposed the decision of party chairman, Imran Khan, on disbanding the KP assembly, Geo News reported citing sources. 

During a meeting of PTI leaders on Sunday, Khattak suggested that the KP Assembly should be disbanded after January 20. "If the house dissolved on Tuesday, the elections would be scheduled in Ramadan", sources quoted Khattak as saying.

The meeting of the PTI leaders was held regarding the dissolution of the KP Assembly during which the former prime minister addressed via video link, the sources said.

The sources further said that Khattak, explaining the reason for opposing the dissolution on Tuesday, stated that if it is disbanded on January 17, then the polls will be held in Ramadan due to which the voter turnout will remain low.

However, he said that if the legislature is dissolved after January 20, then the elections will be staged after Eid ul Fitr — as the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) holds polls within 90 days after the assembly is disbanded.