PESHAWAR: The opposition political parties on Wednesday demanded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s resignation, saying that he has lost majority in the national assembly after the secession of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) from the ruling alliance.
The demand was made during a news conference where the Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (PMQ-P) formally announced its support to the opposition on the no-confidence motion against PM Khan, saying that it is a test of national leadership to resolve the current political turmoil.
Read more:
MQM ministers resign from PM Imran cabinet
MQM’s committee ratifies agreement with PPP
Voting on no-trust motion against PM on 3 April
Addressing a press conference with PDM leadership in Islamabad on Wednesday, MQM convener Maqbool Siddiqui said, “We will go with the opposition. We are standing at a historic juncture and it is a test for the national leadership to steer the country out of the current political turmoil.”
Earlier, the MQM-P Central Coordination Committee on ratified the agreement with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), breaking its alliance with the PTI. Under the agreement, the Sindh government will present the draft amendment to the LG law in the provincial assembly in a month. MQM will become PPP’s ally in Sindh and will also be provided representation in the Public Service Commission. Sources added that issues relating to quota system, census and jobs have also been settled between the two parties.
After the separation of MQM from the government, the number of ruling coalition will reduce to 164 against the 177 of the opposition alliance.
Addressing the press conference, the PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif termed it an “important” day in the history of Pakistan. He said, “Today, the opposition is united in the form of national jirga after decades. We have made lots of efforts for this national unity. The MQM has further strengthened the alliance.”
Shahbaz Sharif added that MQM Pakistan leadership and PPP’s Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto resolved all the issues in 20 minutes meeting.