PM Imran confers with AGP on no-trust move

AGP briefs the premier about the available legal options to defeat the opposition’s move

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan has reviewed his legal and political options in order to foil the opposition’s no-confidence motion.

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Khalid Javed Khan met with PM Imran on Monday and briefed him on the process of no-confidence vote as well as the available legal options as to how the opposition’s move could be failed.

The AGP Office refused comments on the AGP’s position on the applicability of Article 63A of the Constitution.

A member of the cabinet believed that vote of confidence move could be dealt politically, therefore, the government is mainly focusing on the political strategy—to get announcement from the allies that they are backing the government.

Also read: PM Imran says 'not worried' about no-confidence motion

“Even the government functionaries are approaching the ‘powerful circles’ to get their assistance for the allies parties’ support. When the allies will announce their support for the government then the disgruntled MNAs will reconsider their position,” the minister said.

He claimed that situation would change in favour of the government in the next 48 hours.

It is learnt that in view of the new strategy, PM Imran is holding meetings the leadership of the coalition partners for their support. Likewise, the premier is also avoiding attacks on the opposition leadership as he did in his speeches couple of days ago.

On the other hand, one section within the government is contacting the opposition leaderships for ‘reconciliation’. A top government functionary said that the government was willing to give some concessions to the opposition in case their leadership agreed to withdraw the no-confidence motion.

“Yes I am pursuing the opposition for withdrawal of no confidence motion against the PM in the national interest,” he said. He added that political instability is not good for the country.

Also read: No-trust move: Opposition devises ‘power-sharing formula’

However, PMLN Punjab President Rana Sanaullah ruled out any dialogue with the government in the prevailing political situation. While talking to a private TV channel, he said that PM Imran should resign first, before any move for a dialogue.

A top legal mind of one opposition parties has revealed to The Express Tribune that he suggested the leadership to obtain affidavits from the PTI MNAs, who are supporting the no confidence move,. He informed that other than allies parties MNAs, the opposition has support of 182 MNAs against PM Khan.

A PTI leader admitted that the biggest dilemma for the incumbent government was that it hasd lost support from the media in the prevailing situation. In the media nobody is condemning those who were elected on PTI tickets and planned to vote against the prime minister.

Political analysts still believe that though it’s too late but the powerful circles may still defuse situation.

Likewise, the Pakistan Bar Council – the apex body of the lawyers – is convening a meeting of all the lawyers bodies on March 16 to discuss the prevailing political situation.