In a bid to garner the support of its allies, the PTI-led government Monday held another round of talks with the leadership of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) while the Karachi-based party asked the PTI to first implement its promises made in past, sources revealed on Monday.
The Government delegation met the MQM delegation at the Parliament Lodges led by Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Asad Umar, Pervez Khattak and others were also present while MQM leaders Khalid Maqbool, Wasim Akhtar, Aminul Haq and others were present.
Sources privy to the matter said that the government offered the port and shipping ministry to the MQM-P but the MQM leaders asked the PTI government to first release all its office buildings confiscated by the interior ministry and also quash cases field against the MQM leaders and workers. Moreover, the MQM also asked for release of its workers who were wanted in fake and fabricated cases. The MQM also said that if immediate actions are taken by today, they may announce support to the PTI government in a day or two.
After the joint Opposition tabled a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in a bid to oust him, the support of MQM-P and PML–Q has become crucial for the premier. The MQM-P has seven members in the Parliament, while the PML-Q has five.
If the Opposition wants the no-trust motion to be successful, then they will need the support of a simple majority — 172 members out of the 342 — in the lower house of parliament.
Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif on Monday tabled the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan in the lower house.
During the session, Deputy NA Speaker Qasim Suri asked the members of the Parliament, who are in favour of the motion, to stand up so that their numbers could be counted. As per the Constitution, 20% of the MNAs present in the assembly must show support for the voting.
Following the counting of the members who stood up in favour of the motion, the deputy speaker approved a discussion on the no-confidence motion, adding that it will take place on Thursday, March 31, at 4 pm. However, the voting on the resolution is expected to take place between April 1-4.
