Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday formally directed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) MNAs to abstain from voting on the no-confidence motion filed against him in the National Assembly by the joint opposition.
In a letter addressed to his party’s lawmakers, the prime minister outlined his instructions for the day of voting.
In the letter, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today, the premier warned that any violation of the instructions would be “treated as express defection in terms of Article 63-A” of the Constitution.
“I, Imran Khan, as head/leader of the parliamentary party of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf in the National Assembly, take this opportunity to convey to you the following directions which are to be followed strictly”, with regards to the no-confidence vote, the letter read.
It added that all members of the PTI in the NA shall “abstain from voting/not attending the meeting of the National Assembly on the date when the said resolution is set out on the agenda … for voting”.
“No member of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf shall attend or make himself/ herself available at the time and day of voting on the resolution of no-confidence.”
The letter further stated that duly designated parliamentary members would speak on behalf of the PTI during debate on the motion.
“All members are required to adhere to these directions in true letter and spirit and keep in mind the intent behind the provision of Article 63-A of the Constitution,” the letter said.
In the letter, the prime minister made it clear to all members that they should not “violate any instruction or extend any favour, relating to the vote of no-confidence, to any other parliamentary party or group”.
Any violation would be considered defection, he warned.
The prime minister’s directions have come a day after the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif tabled the resolution in the lower house of parliament.
Debate on the resolution will begin on Monday and voting on the resolution must take place within seven days of it being moved, according to rules and procedures of the house.
Meanwhile, the opposition — which needs at least 172 votes for the motion to succeed — and the government have stepped up efforts to ensure that they have enough lawmakers on their side to beat the opponents.
