No-trust moved in Punjab Assembly

LAHORE:

 

The escalating showdown between the PTI-PML-Q Punjab government and the PDM came to a head on Monday after a delegation of PPP and PML-N lawmakers submitted a no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi in a bid to forestall the dissolution of the provincial assembly.

Moreover, the resolution was immediately followed by an order from the Punjab Governor Balighur Rehman, directing the chief minister to seek a vote of confidence from the assembly on December 21 (tomorrow) -- dealing a blow to the PTI’s plans to disband the legislature on Friday.

In his order, the governor said that the chief minister has “lost the confidence of his party president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and members of his own party belonging to the PML-Q”.

The magic number required to show majority in the 371-strong house is 186.

Earlier, opposition lawmakers, including PPP Parliamentary Leader Hassan Murtaza, PML-N’s Khawaja Imran Nazir, Chief Whip of PML-N Khalil Tahir Sindhu, and others reached the Punjab Assembly Secretariat and submitted the no-trust motion against the chief minister at 9:35pm.

A separate no-trust motion was also submitted against PA Speaker Sibtain Khan and Deputy Speaker Wasiq Abbasi under Article 53 of the Constitution.

Punjab Assembly Secretary Inayatullah Lak formally received it.

A ‘stitch in time’, the move comes just a few days before PTI chief Imran Khan was set to wind up the legislative assemblies in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to spur a provincial power play and pave a way for a spate of provincial polls within 90 days.

As per the law, such a resolution, once submitted, would bar the chief minister from dissolving the legislature until the motion is voted upon. However, it is pertinent to note that the PTI's coalition still commands a majority in the province.

The submission of the no-trust motion is a tactic many insiders had warned that the ruling coalition could employ to foil the disbanding of the elected house and pre-empt the political firestorm it was dreading in the wake of the move.

Sources said that the political capital remained a hub of political activities throughout the day amid whisperings that the opposition in the province was cobbling up a plan to avert the 'nightmare'.

 ‘Elahi massacred democratic traditions’

The document submitted by the opposition in the assembly stated that “members of the PPP and the PML-N of the provincial assembly have lost confidence in CM Pervaiz Elahi’s ability to lead the house as per the Constitution”.

It added that Elahi had “massacred democratic traditions” and thus he had lost the confidence of the majority of members of the house.

The no-trust move was moved under “Article 136 of the Constitution read with Rule 23 of the Rules of Procedure Provincial Assembly of Punjab (PAP), 1997”.

According to Article 136, a resolution for a vote of no-confidence moved by not less than twenty per cent of the total membership of the provincial assembly may be passed against the chief minister by the provincial assembly.

A resolution referred to in clause (1) shall not be voted upon before the expiration of three days, or later than seven days, from the day on which such resolution is moved in the Provincial Assembly.

If the resolution referred to in clause (1) is passed by a majority of the total membership of the Provincial Assembly, the Chief Minister shall cease to hold office.

‘Cracks between PTI-PML-Q alliance’

Meanwhile, the governor’s order, shared on his Twitter account, stated that it was “widely known” that over the last few weeks serious differences of opinion erupted between two coalition parties of the ruling alliance in the Punjab Assembly – PTI and PML-Q –  regarding political strategies, dissolution of the assembly, development schemes, and transfers of public officials.

It highlighted that the differences became evident after the appointment of a PTI member — namely Khayal Ahmed — to the provincial assembly without the knowledge of PTI chief Imran Khan.

The most recent evidence of “cracks between the ruling alliance” was the resignation of a cabinet member after he engaged in a “verbal spat” with the chief minister.

“The chief minister has stated in a TV programme on Dec 4 that he is not going to dissolve the provincial assembly until March 2023, a position which is completely at odds with the PTI’s public opinion on the issue.”

The order also referred to Chief Minister Elahi’s criticism of the PTI chief in an interview for targeting former army chief General (retired) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

In view of the above, Governor Rehman said that Elahi “does not command the confidence” of the PA and subsequently summoned a session on Dec 21 at 4pm under Section 130(7) of the Constitution for the no-trust vote against Elahi.

Battle heats up

The move to preempt the dissolution of assemblies came after the city remained a hub of political activities throughout the day as the date for the dissolution of legislative assemblies – December 24 – inched closer.

Earlier in the day, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain.

The former president met the premier in Model Town, where they both agreed to increase communication with Shujaat and task him with the prevention of the Punjab Assembly’s dissolution.

It was agreed that they will not make any direct contact with Elahi until Shujaat gives them a green signal.

Both of them agreed to keep a close eye on the current political situation and remain active. The former president informed the premier that he has extended his stay in Punjab.

Later, Zardari met Shujaat at his residence to discuss the prevailing situation in Punjab. The former president also made his final decision subject to the consent of the PML-Q chief.

Separately, PM Shehbaz met Shujaat at the latter’s residence in Lahore.

Commenting on the situation later, the PML-Q chief said that general elections are not in sight anytime soon, and Elahi can last four to five months in power.

He revealed that the coalition partners are considering two options, and while they may have other options, they only told him about two. He explained that one party wants to move a motion of no-confidence, while the other wants to proceed with a vote of confidence. He remarked that those with votes will be saved.

Shujaat said that while he has no contact with Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) broadly, he is indeed in contact with Shehbaz and Zardari, adding that a solution will be found soon for Punjab.

He said that Elahi can take four to five months if he decides. However, he made it clear that he does not see general elections anytime soon.

He further said that Imran is a “wise man” and does not need any advice.

Express News also reported that Shujaat has also indicated that he will talk to Elahi.

While the allies are engaging PML-Q in Punjab, Prime Minister Shehbaz is also consulting his brother, Nawaz Sharif, and his party for suggestions.

A meeting of the party was held in Model Town under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz, in which the provincial lawmakers were ordered to reach Lahore immediately and stay there next week. They have also been told to stay in touch with the party leadership at all times.

Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Khawaja Salman Rafique, Malik Ahmad Khan, Attaullah Tarar and other important party leaders participated in the meeting.

They discussed the party’s strategy in view of the possible dissolution of the provincial assembly on December 23.

PML-N had also requested the parties and independent lawmakers in the opposition alliance to reach Lahore.

It is being suggested that the chief minister may be asked to take a vote of confidence on behalf of the governor of Punjab. Apart from this, a no-confidence motion may also be submitted against the chief minister.

During the meeting, Elahi’s recent statement also became the topic of discussion. The party believes that after the CM’s interview, the political situation of the province has completely changed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also informed the participants about the meeting with former president Zardari and PML-Q chief Shujaat.

Sources said that Zardari advised Shehbaz to adopt a policy of 'wait and see' in the context of Elahi's recent interview.

It was also revealed in the meeting that once Elahi clarifies his position with PTI, then the coalition parties can discuss it.

At the end of the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that his party will not be a part of any undemocratic process under any circumstances.

The premier also directed that the administration expedite the process of registering cases against the PTI chief.