Timeline: No-trust move against Prime Minister Imran Khan

Immense political turmoil has followed the joint opposition's filing of the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly.

In the span of a month, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has lost the majority in the lower house as the ruling party was prone to members leaving and rejoining, as well as uncertainty within the coalition.

Under the Constitution, a premier is elected by a majority in the NA – which consists of 342 members.

The opposition requires 172 votes in favor of the no-confidence motion to oust PM Imran and dissolve the incumbent cabinet.

Opposition parties’ legal eagles deliberate on no-trust move
March 8

Legal minds of opposition parties begin to put forth input on the prospects of the ambitious vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

A high-level meeting of the opposition leaders in this regard was held in Islamabad. Lawyers were also in attendance.

One of the legal minds of the opposition party present at the meeting revealed to The Express Tribune that the law experts fed the opposition leaders with all legal possible aspects and requirements of the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly. A draft of motion has also been prepared, he added.

Joint opposition files no-trust, requisition for NA session
March 8

The united opposition front submitted the no-confidence motion against 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.

PTI leaders confident of winning 'political battle'

March 8

PTI leaders and federal ministers vowed to thwart the opposition’s attempt to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion, which was submitted to the National Assembly Secretariat.

Senior PTI leaders addressing press conference in Islamabad. SCREENGRAB

In a statement, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said filing the no-trust motion was the opposition parties’ constitutional right but added that the ruling party along with its coalition partners will defeat the opponents in the “political battle”.

FM Qureshi said he discussed the matter of the no-confidence vote with the premier and it had been decided that the ruling party will make all-out efforts to foil the opposition’s move.

SCBA says no-confidence motion against PM Imran is constitutional
March 10

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon 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 – which states that the NA was 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.

Govt in a hurry to ‘wrap up’ no-trust move
March 11

The government decided not to give much time to the opposition on the no-confidence motion and federal ministers suggested that the matter should be wrapped up before the session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in the federal capital.

The ministers also asked National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser to convene a session of the lower house of parliament for this purpose next week.

They also suggested that voting should be held next week after three days of debate.

The ministers were of the view that the wrapping up of the no-trust motion before the OIC session would be major victory for the government.

The final decision would be made by Qaiser on the recommendation of the National Assembly Secretariat.

PML-Q, MQM supports PTI against no-trust motion, says Asad Umar
March 12

Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar said that the opposition does not have the required numbers for passing the no-confidence motion in the NA.

The minister claimed that Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) and Mutahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) were both supporting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf government and leaders of both the parties had given clear statements in this regard.

Umar added that coalition partners having issues with PTI leadership were mere “speculations”.

Opposition ponders no-trust strategy
March 14

The joint opposition held a consultative huddle to chalk out an effective strategy to make its no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan successful.

The key leaders of the opposition parties met over dinner at the residence of the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif.

Joint opposition and BAP members addressing a news conference in Islamabad on March 28. SCREENGRAB

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief and JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Balochistan National Party (BNP) Sardar Akhtar Mengal and other opposition leaders will be in attendance.

The meeting formulated a strategy regarding the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan and will review its strategy to peel off allies of the ruling coalition to muster the required numerical backing to topple the premier.

PTI's Warraich rejoins PPP ahead of no-trust move
March 14

PTI Central Punjab President Imtiaz Safdar Warraich rejoined PPP, according to a local news outlet’s report.

The development came ahead of vote on the no-confidence motion moved by the opposition to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan from power.

PM Imran confers with AGP on no-trust move
March 15

Prime Minister Imran Khan 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 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.

Sanjrani vows to support PM on no-trust vote issue
March 15

Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani vowed to support Prime Minister Imran Khan in his personal capacity on the issue of no-trust vote.

Responding to a journalist question in Islamabad, the Senate chairman said that his party – the Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) – had not taken any decision on the no-confidence motion yet. Sanjrani said he would ask his party to support PM Imran on the issue.

Abbasi warns NAB to not interfere in no-trust move
March 15

PML-N Senior Vice President Shahid Khaqan Abbasi maintained that some of their lawmakers had received notices from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) since the opposition had filed a requisition for a no-confidence motion against the government.

“It is not NAB chairman’s [Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal] job to interfere in the no-trust move,” the former premier said while speaking to media.

24 PTI lawmakers surface from Sindh House amid horse-trading allegations
March 17

Several ruling PTI lawmakers announced that they would not follow the party line in the National Assembly ahead of the voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan after one of the dissidents revealed that at least 24 MNAs are staying at the Sindh House in Islamabad.

Raja Riaz, a member of estranged PTI faction known as the Jahangir Tareen group, claimed that they moved to the Sindh House due to “security concerns” after police stormed parliament lodges and tortured “their lawmakers”.

He said a group of 24 PTI dissident MNAs is present at the Sindh House in the federal capital, and it would vote on the no-trust motion “according to their conscience”.

PTI workers storm Sindh House
March 18

The ruling PTI lawmakers and workers stormed the Sindh House in Islamabad in protest against the dissident members of the ruling party, who were staying inside the building.

The PTI legislatures and workers forcibly entered the building located in the Red Zone of the federal capital just days before the voting on the joint opposition’s no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Sindh House attack. Photo: EXPRESS

PTI MNAs, Faheem Khan and Ataullah, along with a group of charged party workers entered the Sindh House, knocking down a gate and shouting slogans and holding Lotas (spouted globulars) in their hands to symbolise turncoats.

https://twitter.com/TalatHussain12/status/1504805266608766979

No-trust notice sent to all MNAs
March 18

On the request of the opposition leaders, the NA informed the MNAs about the no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

A notice was sent to the members under the rules and regulations of the National Assembly, stating that under Article 95 of the Constitution, a no-confidence motion was filed against Imran Khan.

The notice was sent by the National Assembly secretary. A copy of the no-confidence motion was also sent to all members.

Opposition urges PM Imran to step down voluntarily
March 18

Opposition leaders urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down voluntarily, saying that he has “lost the majority” in the NA after several ruling party lawmakers announced that they would not follow the party line in the no-trust vote against the premier.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that MNAs have been threatened with violence, arrest and dire consequences if they take part in the no-confidence process.

PTI dissidents issued show-cause notices
March 19

PTI issued show-cause notices to dissident lawmakers for joining the opposition parties, who brought the no-confidence motion, as Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed hope the estranged lawmakers would soon return to the party-fold.

In the notices, the ruling party reminded the dissidents that they were bound to follow the directions issued by the PTI as its member. It asked the lawmakers to explain within seven days about the giving the impression that they were about to leave the party.

“It is abundantly clear from the provisions of Article 63-A(1) that you are bound to follow the directions issued by PTI as you are a member… and continue to be bound to follow the directions…” said the show cause notice issued to PTI National Assembly member MNA Afzal Khan Dhandla.

Opp blasts Qaiser for delaying crucial session
March 20

The opposition parties were unanimous in saying that Speaker NA has violated the Constitution by not calling the assembly session within the 14-day period, saying the failure to convene the session by March 22 was an unconstitutional move and warranted punishment under Article 6 of the Constitution, which deals with treason.

The opposition accused Speaker NA Asad Qaiser of abrogating the Constitution by summoning the session on March 25, whereas he was bound by the law to convene it by March 22.

A file photo of NA Speaker Asad Qaiser.

The condemnation came after NA Speaker Asad Qaiser summoned the session of the lower house to deliberate on the opposition's no-confidence resolution against Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 25. In his order, the speaker had said that due to renovations at the Parliament House ahead of the OIC moot, no suitable place would be available to hold the session before March 24.

Experts say delaying no-trust vote may invoke Article 6
March 20

Legal experts said that not calling the requisitioned session of the NA within the stipulated time or proroguing the session without initiating the proceedings of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan would attract Article 6 (high treason) of the Constitution on the National Assembly speaker.

The experts said that any deliberate delay in summoning the session would lead to a constitutional impasse amid the ongoing political turmoil and warned that the situation would further aggravate if Speaker Asad Qaiser prorogued the session without starting the proceedings on the no-trust motion.

Opp mulls 'Plan-B' if no-confidence fails
March 20

The opposition mulled the 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.

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.

‘Nobody will be stopped from casting votes’
March 20

Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid said the government will not obstruct anyone from casting their vote on the no-confidence motion tabled against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the joint opposition.

During a press conference in Islamabad, the interior minister stated that the ruling PTI would not resort to extra-constitutional measures to sway the results of the motion of no-trust against PM Imran Khan.

Speaker summons no-trust NA session on March 25
March 20

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser summoned the session of the National Assembly on March 25 at 11 am at the request of the opposition parties who filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The decision to summon the session by the assembly speaker came a day after the joint opposition lashed out at the PTI government for alleged attempts to delay the crucial session under the guise of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) moot in Islamabad on March 22-23.

The opposition leader and PPP chief Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari had even threatened to disrupt the session by staging a sit-in in front of the assembly.

PM says won’t rule at ‘cost of conscience’
March 20

Prime Minister Imran Khan maintained that he would rather give up his government than “compromising on his conscience”.

Out of sheer frustration, the premier even urged the dissident PTI lawmakers to return to the ruling party’s fold, saying that he was ready to forgive them like a “compassionate father”.

“A decisive moment has arrived in the country’s history -- whether you [the nation] choose ‘bandits’ or those striving to end the menace of corruption in the country,” an embattled premier said while addressing a public gathering in Dargai.

NA speaker vows to fulfil constitutional obligations
March 23

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser vowed to fulfil his "constitutional obligations".

"I as the custodian of the National Assembly of Pakistan will fulfil my constitutional obligations and will proceed in accordance with Article 95 of the Constitution & rule 37 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007," Qaiser wrote on his official Twitter handle.

NA session put off sans tabling of no-trust
March 25

National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser adjourned the proceedings of the much-anticipated session till March 28 without the tabling of the opposition parties’ no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

This move irked the opposition parties to issue a warning to the speaker that any further delay in tabling the motion would lead to protest. The session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and prayers for late MNA Khayal Zaman, former president Rafiq Tarar and Senator Rehman Malik. However, the NA speaker announced that it would be adjourned in light of the parliamentary convention.

PHOTO: APP/FILE

It is parliamentary convention that the first sitting after the death of an MNA is limited to prayers for the soul of the departed and tributes other lawmakers wish to pay them. The NA speaker said that according to the tradition, the agenda was deferred to the next day when a member of the lower house had passed away.

Shehbaz writes to NA speaker, protests delay in no-trust session
March 26

Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif wrote a letter to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, expressing reservations on the government’s conduct, particularly the delay in convening the no-confidence motion session of the lower house.

Shehbaz highlighted that the motion was submitted on March 8 and the requisition was also submitted on the same day, adding that the notices for the motion should have been sent immediately. "But that did not happen, rather some members of parliament received a copy of the notice on March 19," he regretted.

He pointed out the constitutional duties of the speaker, whereby he is legally required to convene the session within 14 days of the submission of the motion, adding that the speaker did not fulfil his constitutional obligations.

PTI unable to break the ice in talks with PML-Q
March 26

In its ramped-up efforts to salvage the apparently waning support to survive the no-confidence motion, PTI leaders held crucial meetings with PML-Q and MQM-P.

A government delegation led by federal ministers Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pervez Khattak met with PML-Q leader and Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to discuss the no-trust move.

PML-Q and PTI meeting. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Sources said the efforts of the government negotiation committee went in vain because the PML-Q leadership left the decision to vote on the no-confidence motion for the last day.

Four estranged PTI MPs may rejoin party today
March 26

Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry hoped that four dissident PTI lawmakers would return to the party’s ranks.

“One of the MNAs has replied that he had not breached party discipline. The reply of another MNA is expected soon. [Planning and Development] Minister Asad Umar is meeting with him as we speak,” the minister added.

NA to deliberate on no-trust move
March 28

The much-anticipated session of the NA to deliberate on the no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan by the opposition parties was held.

No-trust motion tabled in NA amid hullabaloo
March 28

After much ado, the no-confidence motion was finally tabled in the NA against Prime Minister Imran Khan by Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif.

Before the tabling of the motion, the NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, who was presiding over the session, asked the lawmakers in favour of the motion to rise so that the count could be made. Within minutes, the deputy speaker announced that a total of 161 members of the opposition parties were present in the assembly and, thus, the leave for presenting the motion against the prime minister was granted.

Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif addressing a session in National Assembly in Islamabad on January 10, 2022. PHOTO: TWITTER/ @NAofPakistan

As the opposition leader stood up to present the motion, the treasury benches resorted to name-calling and continued making noise; some constantly shouted, “cherry blossom” while other PTI lawmakers kept calling the opposition members “chor” (thieves).

Nevertheless, the opposition leader presented the motion amid hue and cry made by the government lawmakers and desk-thumping from the opposition members.

PM Imran’s sparkly, booming show in Islamabad
March 28

Thousands of supporters flocked to the federal capital to attend Prime Minister Imran Khan’s rally as his fate hangs in the National Assembly.

 

A view of PTI supporters gathered at Parade Ground in Islamabad to attend the public gathering on March 27. PHOTO: @PTIofficial

In his two-hour-long marathon speech at a sparkly, booming show in Islamabad – a cradle of his political movement from the ‘container days’ - the prime minister’s appearance seemed to be a fiery effort to lean into the definitive agenda points of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Opposition submits no-trust motion against Buzdar
March 28

PML-N and PPP lawmakers submitted a no-trust motion against Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, requesting the Punjab Assembly speaker to summon a session on it.

The requisition was submitted at the Punjab Assembly Secretariat, and was addressed to Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhary Pervez Elahi.

A total of 127 lawmakers, including PPP and PML-N MPAs, signed the no-trust motion.

The following day, CM Buzdar tendered his resignation to Prime Minister Imran Khan vowing that he would always stand firmly with Prime Minister Imran Khan to fulfil the promise of 'Naya Pakistan'.

PM offers CM’s seat to Elahi
March 28

Following Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s resignation, Premier Imran offered the Punjab chief minister’s slot to PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, the incumbent provincial assembly speaker, on March 28.

PHOTO: FILE

“I have taken the resignation from Usman Bazdar and I congratulate Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi for being nominated from my party’s side as the chief minister of Punjab,” the official statement from the PML-Q quoted the premier as saying during the meeting.

In return, Elahi thanked PM Imran for entrusting him with the post of the chief minister, saying he would remain trustworthy.

Imran directs MNAs to stay away from no-trust session
March 29

As the threat of losing his seat of power edges closer, Prime Minister Imran Khan formally barred lawmakers from the ruling PTI from attending the National Assembly session on the day of voting on the opposition’s no-confidence motion -- likely to be held in the first week of April.

The premier issued the directives as the leader of the parliamentary party of PTI, a day after the no-confidence motion was tabled in the lower house of parliament against him by PML-N president and leader of the opposition in the house, Shehbaz Sharif.

“No member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf shall attend or make himself/herself available at the time and day of voting on the resolution of No-Confidence,” read a communiqué issued by the PTI.

Cheema vows to vote against PM despite PML-Q deal
March 29

Following the nomination of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, estranged PML-Q leader Tariq Bashir Cheema, who stepped down as minister for housing, reiterated that he would support the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan filed by the joint opposition in National Assembly.

Tariq Bashir Cheema. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

The deal reportedly prompted a rift within the party with Cheema revolting against the decision and announcing to vote against PM Imran. Cheema also resigned from the federal cabinet, giving rise to speculations regarding a rift in the Chaudhrys of Gujrat.

Calls for PM's resignation rise to a crescendo
March 30

As the opposition trains its guns on Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of the no-confidence vote, the political earth of the country shook and seemed to tack toward the opposition after the ruling party apparently lost its majority in the National Assembly following a pull-out of its key allies.

The situation has come about in the wake of the MQM-P’s seven members crossing over to the opposition’s side after burning the midnight oil with the joint opposition and hammering out an agreement in the wee hours of the day.

Imran terms no-trust a foreign conspiracy
March 30

Prime Minister Imran Khan termed the opposition’s no-confidence motion against him a “huge foreign conspiracy against Pakistan” but emphasised that he could not name the country which sent the ‘threatening letter’ because its results would not be good for the country.

The prime minister said that the letter stated that Pakistan would face serious consequences if the no-confidence motion failed, adding that the language of the letter was extremely harsh and that the no-trust motion had been mentioned in it several times.

The details about the prime minister’s remarks emerged after he convened an urgent meeting of federal cabinet to discuss the issue of an international conspiracy to topple his government through a secret letter that he waved in his public rally in Islamabad on March 27.

According to sources, the letter had been sent by former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, Asad Majeed. It was sent after talks with the US assistant secretary of state for South Asia, the sources added.

Deputy Speaker dismisses no-trust motion against Imran
April 3

The National Assembly ended minutes after Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri disallowed voting on the opposition's no-confidence motion and adjourned the session on the pretext of a 'foreign conspiracy'.

The lower house was set to hold the vote with the numbers heavily in favour of the motion, when Suri, chairing the session in the absence of Speaker Asad Qaiser, declared the motion “unconstitutional”.

Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Qasim Suri. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

The deputy speaker then prorogued the house but opposition members stayed in the hall and held a symbolic session with the former speaker and senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarian Ayaz Sadiq in the chair.

When the motion was moved in the symbolic session, in which no treasury member was present, a whopping 197 voted in favour of the no-confidence motion.

Dissolution of National Assembly
April 3

President Arif Alvi dissolved the National Assembly on the advice of Prime Minister Imran Khan, hours after the lower house session was dismissed without a vote on the no-confidence motion.

The prime minister advised the president to dissolve the assembly under Article 58 of the Constitution. Imran took the decision of sending the summary after accusing the joint opposition of working with the United States to overthrow his government.

Apex court takes notice
April 3

Soon after, the Supreme Court took notice of the situation, while the opposition filed a petition in the apex court, maintaining that the act of the deputy speaker by proroguing the session of Parliament on the vote of no confidence motion be declared a violation of fundamental rights of the people.

SC rejects deputy speaker’s actions
April 7

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ruled that the National Assembly deputy speaker’s ruling to dismiss the opposition’s no-confidence motion and subsequent dissolution of the lower house by the president on the PM’s advice were contrary to the law and Constitution.

Supreme Court of Pakistan. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

The court also ordered to reinstate the National Assembly and summon its session at 10:30 am on April 9 to hold voting on the no-trust motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Lower house reconvenes
April 9

After a week-long episode of political uncertainty that embroiled Pakistan in a constitutional crisis, the crucial National Assembly session called to vote on the no-confidence motion that could seal the fate of Prime Minister Imran Khan commenced at 10:30 am.

However, due to ruckus during Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s speech, the session was adjourned until 12:30 pm.