Opp mulls 'Plan-B' if no-confidence fails

The opposition is mulling will put to test its ‘Plan-B’ in case its 'Plan-A' - the ouster of the prime minister through no-confidence motion - falls short of achieving the target, sources said on Saturday.

As per the planned strategy to make its no-trust move a success, the opposition will also devise a ‘Plan-C’ to keep the momentum going if the intended results are not attained timely.

The development comes as the opposition leaders warned that it would hamper the upcoming Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit by staging a sit-in in the lower house if the resolution calling for a no-confidence vote was not presented in the NA on Monday — which is the deadline for tabling the resolution.

"We want Monday's session to start with no-confidence motion but if it is not summoned by Monday then we will stage a sit-in the house... we will then see how you will be able to organise the OIC conference," Bilawal said at a joint press conference, held following a meeting of the opposition leaders at Shehbaz's residence in Islamabad.

The opposition had filed the no-trust motion against the premier with the NA Secretariat on March 8.

According to Article 54, a session of the National Assembly can be requisitioned if at least 25 per cent of the members sign it, following which the speaker has a maximum of 14 days to summon a session.

Sources revealed that the Plan-A involves removing the prime minister with the no-trust move under which contacts were developed with the government’s allies and its estranged members. However, if the no-confidence move fails, the opposition will immediately move to Plan-B and will “exert pressure over the prime minister to seek the vote of confidence”.

“The vote of confidence will be demanded from the prime minister as per the legal and constitutional procedure. The option of resignations from the estranged treasury members is the part of the Plan-B.”

The president and the NA speaker will be informed in writing about the matter.

It is pertinent to mention here that a total of 172 members' support will be required to the opposition for the success of the no-trust move. The prime minister would also require the backing of 172 legislators to win the vote of confidence.

It is to be mentioned here that a consultative session of the opposition leaders has been summoned at the residence of Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif for consultation over the political situation and the no-trust move.

The meeting will also discuss the PTI workers' attack at Sindh House yesterday and the matters related to the PDM long march.

The Sindh House came into focus this week, especially after Premier Imran and some of his ministers accused the opposition of indulging in horse-trading ahead of the crucial vote on the no-confidence motion. They said that the Sindh House had become a centre for buying lawmakers.

The top leadership of PPP termed the attack “an act of terrorism”, with its chief Bilawal saying: “A well-planned attack on Sindh House is tantamount to an attack on Sindh.”