'Abstain From No-Trust Vote Or Don't Attend Assembly': Pak PM Imran Khan's Whip To PTI Leaders

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan must have the support of 172 members in the 342-member National Assembly to save his government from collapsing.

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday 'strictly' directed members of his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in the National Assembly either to abstain from voting or not to attend the Parliament on March 31, the day of voting on the no-confidence motion against him.

In the letter subjected as: "Directions to abstain from voting on the No Confidence Resolution moved in the National Assembly against the honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan", the party has listed all the do's and don'ts for PTI members in the National Assembly. 

The letter, shared by PTI on Twitter, was signed Imran Khan, who is also the Chairman and the parliamentary leader of Pakistan's ruling party.

"All the members of the Parliamentary Party of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in the National Assembly of Pakistan shall abstain from voting/ not attend the meeting of the National Assembly on the date when the said resolution is set out on the agenda of the National Assembly for voting," the letter read.

"No member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf shall attend or make himself/herself available at the time and day of voting on the resolution of No-Confidence. Duly designated Parliamentary members will speak on behalf of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, during the course of debate on this motion," it added.

Furthermore, the letter also noted that 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 of Pakistan, 1973.

Last, but not the least, the letter even warned members of the party that every/any violation of these directions shall be treated as express defection in terms of Article 63-A.

The letter by Imran Khan comes as he is facing a no-trust vote, brought after the opposition in Pakistan tabled a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister. The no-confidence resolution in Pakistan's National Assembly was tabled on Monday by Shehbaz Sharif, the Leader of the Opposition.

Khan must have the support of 172 members in the 342-member National Assembly to save his government from collapsing. In case he loses the trust vote, Sharif, the leader of the opposition PML-N, will form the new government.