SCBA says no-confidence motion against PM Imran is constitutional

SCBA says it is closely monitoring the 'fragile political situation of the country'

ISLAMABAD:

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon on Thursday stated that the no-confidence motion filed by the opposition against Prime Minister Imran Khan is in accordance with the Constitution.

The SCBA, in a statement, said that the body is “closely monitoring the rather fragile political situation of the country, and is of the opinion that the resolution submitted by the opposition is constitutional and in accordance with Article 95.

The body further verified that the no-trust motion contained no “ultra vires” to the Constitution and has been conducted under proper authority.

The statement underscored the legal process of the motion stating, “it is further clearly provided in Article 95(2) of the Constitution that the Speaker of the National Assembly is constitutionally bound to summon the meeting of Assembly after the expiry of 3 days and not later than 7 days, after the receipt of any such requisition”.

Read: No-trust motion: Defection clause in sharp focus

The bar association's president emphasised the need to call the session of the National Assembly urgently within seven days, the time frame, as provided in Article 95 of the Constitution, the statement read.

“To ensure the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution and further any undue postponement in calling of the National Assembly meeting, including any deviation from the constitution, can provide non-political forces or non-state actor the opportunity to initiate non-political campaigns, the responsibility of which shall be upon the ruling political elite of the country”, President Bhoon warned.

The united opposition front submitted a no-confidence motion on March 8, against the chief executive of the country – Prime Minister Imran Khan – while pinning its hopes for the success of the motion on the estranged members of the ruling party and its allies.

The submission of the motion was followed by a press conference by the top leadership of the opposition parties, including PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, JUI-F and PDM chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and PPP leader Asif Zardari, who said that the days of the prime minister were numbered and that no rhetoric could save him anymore.

At the press conference, the top guns of the opposition parties appeared confident that they would succeed in passing the no-trust motion against the premier, saying the opposition would surely bring the members and make sure that it had more than 172 members’ support.