Pakistan PM Imran Khan Faces Revolt From Within PTI Ahead Of No-Confidence Motion In Parliament

The National Assembly session for the move is expected to be convened on March 21 and the voting is likely to take place on March 28.

File Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan faces revolt from within his party as nearly two dozen disgruntled PTI lawmakers have openly threatened to vote against him on the no-confidence motion tabled in Parliament by the Opposition.

According to news agency PTI, around 100 lawmakers from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) submitted a no-confidence motion before the National Assembly Secretariat on March 8.

They allege that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) government led by Imran Khan was responsible for economic crisis and spiralling inflation in the country.

Following the no-trust move by the joint opposition, some of the partners in the ruling government began to dither.

However, the real shocker for PM Imran Khan came when about 24 lawmakers from his own party were ready to part ways to join the bid to topple his government.

Raja Riaz, one of the lawmakers, said that the Pakistan Prime Minister had failed to control inflation while another lawmaker Noor Alam Khan that his multiple grievances were not addressed by the government, local media reported

"We are part of more than two dozen members who are not happy with the government policies," Riaz said.

Noor Alam Khan alleged, "I raised the issue of gas shortage in my constituency many times but nothing was done."

As per news agency PTI, the disgruntled lawmakers have been staying at Sindh House in Islamabad. It is a property of the Sindh government and run by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

Saeed Ghani, a provincial minister and spokesperson of the Sindh government, said that the lawmakers fear they will be abducted by the government.

Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who is among the disgruntled PTI lawmakers staying at Sindh House, said: "I was threatened and requested the Sindh Chief Minister to give me a room here (Sindh House)", the Dawn News reported.

On the other hand, the Pakistan government accused the dispensation in Sindh of abducting the ruling party's lawmakers to influence them by offering huge bribes.

The National Assembly session for the move is expected to be convened on March 21 and the voting is likely to take place on March 28.

Imran Khan Taunts Pakistan's Army Over Its Neutral Stance 

PM Imran Khan consulted his party leaders and ministers on Thursday. Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid urged him to impose a governor's rule in Sindh, removing the Sindh government as it was accused of being involved in buying members of the National Assembly.

As per the PTI report, Imran Khan is also consulting his legal team in his bid to disqualify the dissidents under the floor-crossing laws. The law can be invoked after a lawmaker votes against his own party by ignoring the clear directions of the party leader.

As the Pakistan Prime Minister's grip on power appears to be weakening, he has mobilised his support base by giving a call for a big rally in the heart of the capital on March 27. One million workers are expected to gather in the show of strength.

On the other hand, the opposition parties have responded to it by asking their workers to march towards Islamabad on March 25 to occupy the D-Chowk in front of Parliament where Imran Khan is slated to hold a rally.

Amid the power tussle, Pakistan's Army is seen to be keeping a watch on the situation from the sidelines.

Last week, a Pakistan Army spokesperson told the media that the military will remain neutral.

While addressing a rally in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Imran Khan took a swipe at the Army statement saying humans take sides, only animals are neutral.

The uncertainty prevails as Imran Khan is heading a coalition government which can be removed if some of the allies decide to switch sides.

In the 342-member National Assembly, the Opposition needs 272 votes to remove the cricketer-turned-politician from the Prime Minister's post.

The ruling PTI has 155 members in the House and needs at least 172 lawmakers on its side to remain in the government. The party has the support of 23 members belonging to at least six political parties.

Imran Khan's party came to power in 2018, the next general election is scheduled to be held in 2023.

(With Agency Inputs)