National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri has dismissed the no-trust move against Prime Minister Imran Khan, terming it against Article 5 of the Constitution, The Dawn reported.
The Deputy Speaker chaired today’s session after opposition parties, in a surprise move, filed a no-confidence motion against Speaker Asad Qaiser.
Taking the floor shortly after the session began, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that loyalty to the state was the basic duty of every citizen under Article 5. He reiterated the premier’s earlier claims that a foreign conspiracy was behind the move to oust the government.
“On March 7, our official ambassador was invited to a meeting attended by the representatives of other countries. The meeting was informed that a motion against PM Imran was being presented.”
Opposition lawmakers earlier appeared confident of the success of the no-trust move as they made their way to Parliament House.
The opposition needs the support of at least 172 lawmakers from a total of 342 to oust the premier through the no-trust move.
“I congratulate every Pakistani on the Speaker’s decision. The no-confidence motion was a foreign conspiracy against us. Pakistan should decide who should govern them,” Imran Khan said. He also said that he has written to the President to dissolve the assemblies. “There should be elections in a democratic way. I call upon the people to Pakistan to prepare for elections,” Imran said.