No-trust move: Opposition warns NA speaker against becoming party to PM Imran

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif Saturday warned National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser against becoming a party to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Addressing a joint press conference flanked by Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Shahbaz said that Qaiser should "come to his senses", adding, "don't let democracy derail, otherwise neither history nor the people of Pakistan would forgive you."

Condemning the attack on the Sindh House Shahbaz said, “whatever happened at the Sindh House was not a trivial matter.”

He maintained that the attack on Sindh House was not only about the integrity of Sindh but it was an assault on Pakistan, adding that in a bid to preserve democracy in the country, the Opposition had to swallow a bitter pill and tolerate a lot of things.

Shahbaz maintained that before coming to power, Imran Khan used to stand atop a container and make tall claims about destroying the Opposition, but now he has understood that the no-confidence motion to oust him from the office will be successful.

"Although the PM accused us [the Opposition] of taking a bribe, the government's allies are testifying that we did not take a single penny from anyone," said Shahbaz. 

He questioned the PTI about engaging in horse-trading in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir, and said that "such a person [PM Imran Khan] can take any step against the constitutional motion of no-confidence."

"He who believes in victory never wants a fight," Shahbaz said, adding that all PTI members should have the right to vote in accordance with their consciences.

Shedding light on yesterday's incident when hordes of PTI members, including two MNAs, violently protested inside the Sindh House and barged into the building to throw the disgruntled members out, Shahbaz said that "it was not a trivial matter."

On Thursday, PTI MNA Raja Riaz had claimed that 24 MNAs from the ruling party had "sought refuge" in the Sindh House fearing the wrath of the government as the MNAs concerned had decided to go against the premier with regards to the no-trust move.

"It was a highly unfortunate incident as rioters invaded the Sindh House," he said.

The PML-N president said that the attack on Sindh House was not only about the integrity of Sindh but it was an assault on Pakistan, adding that in a bid to preserve democracy in the country, the Opposition had to swallow a bitter pill and tolerate a lot of things.

Adding to Shahbaz's comment, Akhtar Mengal said that the attack on the Sindh House was indeed a regrettable incident, adding that it was surprising how such incidents could take place in a high-security area like the federal capital's Red Zone.

Referring to the Islamabad Police baton-charging on Baloch students earlier this month, Mengal said: "When our children protest in Islamabad peacefully, they [the government] accuses them of terrorism."

He opined that the attack on the Sindh House warranted the imposition of Section 144. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) empowers district administration to issue orders in the public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period of time.

"But instead of that, the attackers were released from custody. I suggest Imran Khan is not going to be clean-bowled but will be sent back to the pavilion through a hit-wicket dismissal," he said.

'PM will face exemplary humiliation'

For his part, PDM chief Fazl said the Opposition would be standing by the truth as he predicted that their aim to oust the incumbent prime minister was near.

But he regretted the abusive language some public office holders and government lawmakers used against the Opposition and disgruntled PTI MPs.

"We have neither taught the nation the politics of abuse nor our party workers," a charged PDM chief lashed out at PM Imran Khan.

Fazl said he was against the incumbent prime minister since day one, but expressed hope of ousting the premier. He added that the PM will face "exemplary humiliation".

"When these [disgruntled MNAs] people used to board your aeroplane, you had said it was the voice of their conscience that compelled them to stand by your side. But now, you are calling them donkeys and mules," he said while berating the premier.

Bilawal threatens to stage sit-in inside NA

Speaking on the occasion, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari warned the PTI-led government that if the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan is not tabled on Monday (March 21), the Opposition will stage a sit-in inside the National Assembly.

If NA Speaker Asad Qaiser adopts "undemocratic" practices, the Opposition would show resistance, he added.

"If this happens, I will convince all the opposition parties to stage a sit-in inside the NA. If the motion is not tabled on Monday, we will not disperse from inside the Parliament; we will see how you will hold the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) conference," said the PPP leader.

The PPP chairman said the government was threatening lawmakers against voting in favour of the no-confidence motion, which is seeking the ouster of PM Imran Khan.

"But despite that, I want to congratulate the people of Pakistan that PM Imran Khan has lost the house's majority; this is a victory for Pakistanis," Bilawal asserted.