Pakistan
No-trust motion: Opposition says NA speaker became tool for Imran Khan
ISLAMABAD: The opposition leaders on Friday said National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser became a tool for Prime Minister Imran Khan by adjourning the assembly session, to conduct voting on the no-confidence motion, till March 28.
Asad Qaisar has adjourned the session till Monday evening saying that the opposition’s demand for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Khan was included in the agenda.
The brief session today included prayers for the deceased member of the house – former MNA from Hangu Khayal Zaman Khan. Following the prayers, the speaker said that the session was adjourned till Monday evening as per the tradition of adjourning the session in respect of the deceased member.
Talking to media outside the NA in Islamabad, while flanked by other opposition leaders, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) President and Leader of Opposition in NA Shehbaz Sharif alleged that the speaker abused the power and violated the constitution.
“The speaker played the role of a worker of the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI),” he said. He said he had stood up for the point of order, however the speaker did not even like to see him. If anything unconstitutional happened in Monday’s session then the opposition would utilise all legal, constitutional and political tactics, he maintained.
Shehbaz said the opposition postponed its protest and long march during the foreign ministers’ meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
On this occasion, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the prime minister was fleeing. “Does a captain run like this after leaving the pitch? But we will not let Imran Khan run away,” he said.
He said the speaker NA became a tool and facilitator for Imran Khan and fled. Even though they attacked the parliament lodges in fear, nevertheless the opposition would not do that, he said.
Bilawal said the opposition was united against the rulers and the no-trust motion would become their democratic weapon.
Jamiat Ulema e Islam-F MNA Maulana Asad Mahmood said the NA speaker should have become a representative of 220 million people, but he joined the party delegation and held meetings with the allies.
“We will hold power shows inside and outside of the parliament.”
