The united opposition has warned the government of “more to come” after the ruling party’s disgruntled lawmakers find refuge in Sindh House, Islamabad and the interior minister advised the premier to enforce governor rule in the province.
At least 24 PTI MNAs are staying at the Sindh House Islamabad out of security concerns ahead of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan which is expected to be held on March 28. Rumours were rife that the ruling party lawmakers were being forced to stay at the Sindh House against their wishes and bribe offers.
“No one has forced us to be here. No one has paid us any money to vote for the no-trust vote,” PTI's Noor Alam Khan told Aaj News while enjoying a meal. “I have not taken a single penny for voting on the no-confidence motion and I can swear it. We will vote according to the right granted to us in the Constitution,” he said.
Disgruntled PTI lawmakers find 'refuge' in Sindh House Islamabad
The development had also prompted the provincial government to call in Sindh police for security. However, the spokesperson of the Special Security Unit told Dawn that “it was nothing new.”
Reacting to the flurry of political developments, opposition parties separately met and deliberated on the government’s actions and their joint protest in the federal capital.
“Blocking roads and highways leading to the Parliament House and Supreme Court on the Constitution Avenue in Islamabad to create hurdles in the no-trust vote will tantamount to subverting the Constitution itself and attract relevant articles of the Constitution,” the PPP said in a statement after the meeting.
It also took notice of Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid’s statement pertaining to the governor rule in Sindh.” No grounds exist for such a statement and all such moves shall be strongly resisted.”
Sheikh Rasheed suggests PM Imran to declare governor's rule in Sindh
“MNAs have been threatened with violence, arrest & dire consequences if they take part in the no-confidence process. Their lives, liberty and family are under threat. MNAs will take any and all means for their own protection against this fascist regime,” PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in a series of tweets on Thursday.
Moreover, he said the PPP and the PDM would do all in their domain to protect the lawmakers. “We will not show all our cards now. IA a few friends will respond to [PM] Imran Khan’s accusations,” he said, “More to come in the coming days.”
He further said the opposition does not want to create anarchy in Islamabad ahead of the OIC conference and warned the government against provoking them.
Separately, the PML-N leaders had also met on Thursday. The huddle gave official directives to the district, divisional, and provincial party members related to the anti-government protest, which was scheduled for March 23.
In a statement, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah advised PM Imran to voluntarily resign after “losing majority” in the National Assembly.
“It was just a trailer, the film is yet to be released,” he said in an apparent reference to the Sindh House episode. He claimed that three ministers would also join them after the 24 estranged lawmakers who took “refuge” in Sindh House.
Sanaullah criticised the government over the suggestion to put governor rule in Sindh, saying that it was against the Constitution.
In an interview with Samaa, PDM head Maulana Fazlur Rehman said the opposition “was ready” for any kind of impending conflict with the government on the day of public gathering.
“Initially we need just 10 votes. Now, we have around more than 30 votes. We hope to win 182-190 votes on a vote of no-confidence. I advise the government to bring 172 members [required to fail the no-confidence motion] instead of 1 million people [in the public gathering on March 27 at D-Chowk Islamabad],” Fazl said.
