PML-N has called a meeting to consider the various options that are available.
This move comes after the chief of the PTI vowed to resign from both the Punjab and K-P assemblies.
LAHORE: The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, which was seen earlier challenging the PTI to give resignations and dissolve assemblies in its Punjab and K-P strongholds to seek fresh elections, has now backpedalled from its stance, saying that they will not concede to the latter’s demand of snap polls at any cost as they too have multiple options available to them to safeguard their central government from the aftershocks of possible en masse resignations. This statement was made by the Pakistan Muslim League-N
Many people were taken aback when Imran Khan, chairman of the PTI, announced that he would be leaving the system.
The fact that Imran made this announcement, which was still open to interpretation, to conclude a protracted intermittent march that was scheduled to commence on November 26 after a brief hiatus only added to the surprise factor. Imran’s announcement came at a time when the march was scheduled to begin.
This plan was not a spur of the moment decision because the head of the PTI had already stated that he would provide a surprise on July 26 in Rawalpindi, which indicates that there was no change of heart at the eleventh hour.
The first reaction to land in the media was of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, who said that they will move for a vote of no confidence in both Punjab and K-P to intercept the PTI from dissolving both assemblies. He appraised that when a vote of no confidence is tabled, the house cannot be dissolved. He said that they will move for a vote of no confidence in both Punjab and K-P to intercept the PTI from dissolving both assemblies. However, this does not appear to be the only choice the leaders of the PML-N claim to have available to them.
A meeting of the Punjab parliamentary committee has been set on Monday in Lahore, according to the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Ata Tarar. The meeting will also include participation from their legal team.
According to him, the conference will be presided over by Hamza Shehbaz, who had previously served as chief minister of Punjab. He indicated that a discussion of the possible choices would take place during the gathering. He stated that they can choose between a number of different choices with them.
According to him, the most viable alternative would be for them to urge the chief minister of Punjab to hold a vote of confidence rather than moving on with a vote of no confidence. This would be done through the governor of Punjab. According to him, now that the PTI has made the decision to resign, the governor of Punjab has reason to believe that the chief minister of Punjab has lost the confidence of the majority of the house. This gives the governor the legal authority to request that the chief minister of Punjab take a vote of no confidence.
When asked if there had been any discussions with the PTI MPAs, he responded that they did not require any forward block to depend on. If the PTI is going to step down, then I don’t see how they have the moral authority to vote for the chief minister. According to what he indicated, they are convinced that Pervaiz Elahi will not be able to secure the 186 votes that are necessary in order to survive the vote of confidence.
When asked about K-P, he responded by stating that he did not have any information regarding K-P and adding that as of right now, they had not yet finalised any strategy.
On the other hand, Federal Minister Javed Latif suggested a third alternative, arguing that it will establish governor’s control in both of the provinces.
When asked about the legal concerns, particularly those concerning the consent that was required from President Arif Alvi, he responded that they had a way around it, but he did not elaborate any more than that.
In reference to K-P, he stated that 51% of the PTI MPAs have come together to create a forward block, the formation of which will be announced in the very near future.
He stated that the defection of this many members of the provincial parliamentary assembly from the party would result in the legal authority of the provincial leadership losing its legitimacy.
In accordance with Article 234, the consent of the President is required for this change, and in the absence of that consent, it is extremely improbable that this change will ever be considered.
However, he did admit that a vote of no confidence may be brought forward if it was deemed necessary.
