The PTI was in a position to table a no-confidence motion against Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, PTI Senator Aon Abbas Buppi said on Monday, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the reserved seats case.
“Very frankly, I cannot say about the National Assembly. But it will definitely be brought in Punjab as numbers are clearly defined,” he said while appearing on Spotlight with Munizae Jahangir aired on Aaj News.
On July 13, a full-court SC bench awarded reserved seats comprising minority and women seats to the PTI. The bench set aside orders of the Peshawar High Court and Election Commission of Pakistan taking away reserved seats from the Sunni Ittehad Council.
The case was considered a major blow to the coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari as many believed the decision would end the treasury benches majority in the National Assembly.
“We have 107 members and 24 more will join us on reserved seats. Tribunals’ decision will come in a month. Even if we win 40 out of 55 as we have the Form 45, we are in a position to bring a vote of no-confidence against Maryam and make government in Punjab,” Buppi said.
But he admitted that the party would be short of 20 votes in the National Assembly to table a no-trust motion against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“If some opposition party joins us,” he said while speaking about the remaining votes.
Buppi was of the view that Punjab CM Maryam’s onslaught against the Supreme Court was concerning.
Earlier this week, she criticised the apex court’s decision and urged the institution to “let the country function”. Without naming the judges, PML-N President Nawaz Sharif also asked them to reflect on their actions.
“Her statement shows things are not right for them. Things are going to get dirty in the years to come,” the PTI senator said.
On the show, Buppi also said that the government wanted to control social media.
PPP’s Akhunzada Chattan, who was also on the show, called for forming a committee comprising journalists, lawmakers, and people from human rights on social media use.
He added that his party protested against the defamation law in Punjab.
“Our problem and complaint is that the government is not implementing the agreement signed with us. We want reforms in the judiciary, Election Commission of Pakistan, dissolution of National Accountability Bureau, and an institution that investigates judge, generals, journalists and everyone,” Chattan.
The PPP leader added that the agreement also included ending ministries in the federal government as decided under the National Finance Commission. “There are many things and they are not being implemented. This does not need a two-thirds majority but requires intention.”
When asked, Chattan said that there was a growing perception among people that it was a “fight against the northwestern province and the state.”
Chattan, who belongs to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that the people suffered because of terrorism. He blamed the government’s wrong policies for the rise in terrorist activities.
“This will increase linguistic differences and this has increased the level of hatred. Our reservations were not resolved. Anger has converted into hatred.”
