ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Friday strongly criticized National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser for not letting them table the resolution for the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The crucial NA session to deliberate over the no-confidence motion against the prime minister was adjourned as expected till Monday, March 28. Qaiser wrapped it up almost immediately after it started with the recitation of the Holy Quran.
Talking to journalists after Friday’s brief session, Shehbaz Sharif said that Asad Qaiser didn’t act as a speaker but as a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) worker. “He (Asad Qaiser) once again trampled the law and Parliament’s tradition under his feet just like any member of the ruling PTI,” he added.
Shehbaz said that Qaiser along with “Imran Niazi” committed the offence under Article 6 of the Constitution. “The speaker’s role will be remembered as traitorous. The speaker did not open my mic and allow me to speak,” he complained.
He further said that the last date of calling a session to deliberate on the no-confidence motion was March 22 as the requisition was submitted on March 8. “Since he did not call the session on the sanctioned time, and supported PM Imran Khan, he has violated Article 6 (which deals with treason),” Shehbaz said.
“Pakistan is at a standstill, the entire nation is looking towards us and the entire economy is in tatters. The speaker should have allowed voting on the no-confidence motion,” he said.
“We warn the speaker if he makes a move against the constitution on March 28, we will use all legal and political tactics,” he said, adding that Qaiser has become the “stooge” of PM Imran Khan instead of remaining the speaker.
Taking over the presser, the PPP chairman said PM Imran was trying to delay the session, but he could keep evading for only so long. “The captain has left the pitch — like always.”
Bilawal said the government was trying to use all tactics at its disposal to avoid voting on the no-confidence motion. He vowed that the Opposition was united and it would not back down.
In response to a question, the PPP chairman said the next prime minister would be “elected”. At this, Shehbaz said that Bilawal does not believe in the “selection” of prime ministers.
