First-timers also switching sides, PM told

Premier given briefing on all MNAs, especially those belonging to PTI

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday was informed that the PTI lawmakers, who had switched loyalties for the no-confidence motion, included those who had been elected for the first time.

The premier presided over a meeting of the PTI's political committee.

Sources said during the meeting, the prime minister was given comprehensive details about the members in the lower house of parliament, especially those belonging to the PTI.
They added that he was informed that the party’s lawmakers, who had turned to the opposition, included not only male MNAs but female ones as well.

Punjab Assembly Speaker Parvez Elahi's suggestion of bringing the party’s own house in order was also given serious consideration.

The sources said many senior leaders of the party were baffled by the details.

They added that the government was reaching out to its estranged lawmakers, warning them that they were putting their political careers at risk and people would not forgive them for their “betrayal”.

The estranged lawmakers responded that nothing would happen as people quickly forgot about such matters and they had made the decision keeping the future in view.

Also read: PM believes PTI work earned masses confidence

The sources said the government has stepped up its efforts to thwart the opposition’s no-trust move.
The proposal for bilateral talks for political stability was also considered.

The core committee and key federal ministers and senior officials are in constant touch with the prime minister, the sources added.

The premier was also briefed about the presence of the provincial police personnel at the Sindh House in Islamabad.

The prime minister issued directions to the federal agencies to strictly monitor the proceedings at the Sindh House.

The prime minister said on the occasion that the no-confidence motion would be thwarted as the public were supporting the ruling party.

It was also decided during the meeting that the National Assembly session for the no-confidence vote would be convened on March 21.

The sources said the participants had also suggested convening a session of the members of the parliamentary party.

That way the presence of the PTI's lawmakers, who were still with the party, would be ascertained.

Also read: No confidence in the economy

The sources further said the premier had assigned the task of trying to win over the party’s estranged members to Defence Minister Pervez Khattak and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

According to the rules, an NA session has to be convened in 14 days after the submission of a requisition – which will be completed on March 22.

On March 8, the united opposition front had submitted a requisition for a no-confidence motion against PM Imran, while pinning its hopes for its success on the estranged members of the ruling party and its allies.

The submission of the requisition was followed by a news 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 Ali Zardari, who said that the days of the prime minister were numbered and that no rhetoric could save him anymore.

At the news 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 lawmakers and ensure that it had more than 172 members’ support.