Despite the PTI government’s hectic efforts to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the historic session of the National Assembly to decide his fate began on Saturday at 10:30 am. Shortly afterwards, however, Speaker Asad Qaiser decided to adjourn the session for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
At the beginning of the session, the speaker allowed the Leader of the Opposition Shahbaz Sharif to begin his speech. But as soon as he started speaking, several of the 151 PTI MNAs present in the house started interrupting his speech by chanting slogans.
Shahbaz told the speaker to conduct the session as per the order of the Supreme Court and added that today, the Opposition will oust the “selected” prime minister by adopting a lawful and constitutional procedure.
At this, the speaker interjected a remark and said that the house should hold a discussion about the “foreign conspiracy” hatched against the PTI government.
Continuing his address, Shahbaz said that April 7 was the “brightest day” in the history of Pakistan when the Supreme Court of Pakistan acknowledged the “unconstitutional act” of the NA speaker, deputy speaker and prime minister and declared it “null and void”.
“The apex court did not take the support of the doctrine of necessity but instead buried it forever; making Pakistan’s future brightest,” he said, adding that the entire nation is thankful.
He urged the NA speaker to conduct proceedings in accordance with the SC’s directives, warning him that he [Asad Qaiser] will violate the constitution if he takes up any other agenda, including the foreign conspiracy”.
The Opposition leader read the following para from the written verdict of the SC order:
“Under the court’s directives, you are bound to take up this agenda item and no other item. That is the intent of the order and you cannot deviate from it,” he.
Amid protest from the Opposition benches, Shahbaz called on the speaker to hold voting on the motion forthwith.
Replying to his demand and constant reminder of the apex court’s verdict, the speaker said: “The SC’s orders will be followed in true letter and spirit.”
‘Disappointed with SC’s decision, but we will abide by it’: Qureshi
Speaking during the session, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi accepted that according to the Constitution, it is the right of the Opposition to submit a no-confidence motion, while it is the government’s responsibility to defend itself from the motion.