The National Assembly on Sunday rejected the united opposition's no-confidence motion and termed it against Article 5 of the Constitution. It adjourned the lower house of the parliament session.

After a little delay, the National Assembly on Sunday (today) began the crucial session to decide the fate of Prime Minister Imran Khan as it takes up the no-confidence vote. Both the treasury and the opposition benches are claiming to win, with PTI protesters taking the streets, on the premier's call, against the “foreign conspiracy hatched by the United States” to oust his government.

NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri chaired today's session after opposition parties filed a no-confidence motion against Speaker Asad Qaiser.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in his speech said the no-confidence motion was moved under Article 95 of the Constitution and termed it a democratic right in the prevailing situation.

“This right should be accepted. However, honourable speaker, there is one more Article 5 (1) of the Constitution,” he added.

According to Article 5, “Loyalty to the State is the basic duty of every citizen,” and “obedience to the Constitution and law is the [inviolable] obligation of every citizen wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.”

Explaining his point of view, he said that one of Pakistan’s ambassadors was summoned on March 7 in an official meeting where foreign officials were also in attendance. “In this meeting, our envoy is being told that a no-confidence motion is being submitted against PM Imran on March 7 and on March 8 such a motion is brought in Pakistan.”

Fawad, who was also assigned the law ministry portfolio on Friday, alleged that the ambassador was told that ties with Pakistan were dependent on the success of the no-confidence motion. To this, the treasury benches started beating the desk with chanting “shame”.

Quoting the words of the cable, he said: “You will be forgiven if this motion is successful or else your next route would be difficult.” Fawad termed it an “effective operation towards regime change by a foreign government.”

In reply, NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri said: “The opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against PM Imran on March 8 and it should abide by the Constitution and law. No foreign conspiracy is allowed to oust the elected government in Pakistan.”

He termed the points raised by the law minister as “valid and right”. Suri gave the ruling that the no-confidence motion was against the Constitution, law and national sovereignty and is against the rules and business. “I reject this motion and give ruling for disallowing it and prorogue the proceedings of the assembly,” he said and gave the orders under Article 54 (3) of the Constitution and adjourned the proceedings.

With temperaments high, PM Imran Khan on Saturday directed his party workers, especially youth, to stage a peaceful protest against the “foreign conspiracy hatched by the United States” to oust his government.

Sources told Aaj News that the premier had also directed his party workers to attend the parliament sitting, retreating from his earlier decision to not attend the NA session. PM Imran, who has most of the time skipped the parliament session, also asked party workers to support him during the session.

Staying neutral same as supporting evil, says PM during live telethon

According to the order of the day issued by the National Assembly Secretariat, the lower house of parliament is scheduled to meet today at 11:30am. Moreover calling attention pertaining to the non-payment of salaries of the councillors in the Cantonment Boards of the country.

The premier’s call to stage a protest today has prompted concerns from the opposition parties, with Leader of Opposition in NA Shehbaz Sharif claiming such attempts were made to sabotage the no-confidence motion. Moreover, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari alleged that the defeated PM was trying to create unrest.

“He will either try to instigate violence either inside the Parliament or outside. He will resort to violence to undermine our democratic process,” Bilawal said while talking to reporters on Saturday. He had also urged the country’s top court to take action against the prime minister for instigating violence.

Moreover, videos and pictures of PTI workers reaching D-Chowk Islamabad for the party protest were making rounds on social media. While the ruling party workers were hailing it important, the opposition supporters were expressing concerns with a view that such attempts were aimed at influencing the PTI dissidents, who are residing at the Sindh House and the nearby Marriott Hotel.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry in a tweet said that the protest would be peaceful, adding that there would be no room for violence. However, he also warned of spreading “fake news” about the protest.

Separately, PM Imran had also claimed that the nation was fighting for truth and patriotism against falsehood and treason.

“In Karbala, facing an enemy that far outnumbered them, Imam Hussain AS, his family & followers laid down their lives to show people the difference between Haq (right/truth) & Baatil (falsehood),” he said in a tweet.

No-trust move against Qaiser

The united opposition on Sunday submitted a no-confidence motion against National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser in the NA Secretariat, Aaj News reported.

The motion was submitted by Ayaz Sadiq, Naveed Qamar, and Shahida Ali Akhtar.

According to sources, the united opposition as per its plan was also mulling options to table a similar motion against President Arif Alvi, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also shared the motion in a tweet.

“The undersigned does hereby give notice of the attached Resolution for removal from office of the Speaker, Mr Asad Qaiser under paragraph (c) of clause (7) of Article 153 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, read with Rule 12 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, 2007. Also attached is a motion for leave to move the said Resolution,” it read.

The resolution read that the motion for leave to move the resolution be entered in the name of the undersigned in the order of the day for the first working day after the expiry of seven days from the date of receipt of the notice.

The PML-N also shared the video on Twitter.