The crucial National Assembly session on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan which started after two hours delay that was supposed to start at 4 pm, was again adjourned till Sunday at 11:30 am.
The session was held under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri, with more than 172 members from the Opposition benches in attendance.
As the session starts, during the question and answer session, all the Opposition members demanded the deputy speaker allow voting on the no-confidence motion.
At this, Deputy Speaker said due to the “non-serious” attitude of the Opposition lawmakers, the session is being adjourned till Sunday — almost 10 minutes after it had started.
PM Imran Khan has seemingly lost the majority in the lower house after PTI’s allies — MQM-P, BAP, JWP, independent MNA from Balochistan Aslam Bhootani — decided to side with the Opposition.
With the support of Shahzain Bugti, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Tariq Bashir Cheema and four independent members, the opposition has managed to gain the support of 176 parliamentarians in the lower house above the psychological mark of 172.
However, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been left with the support of only 164 parliamentarians.
Some of the allies including Sheikh Rashid, Zubeida Jalal and the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) are still supporting the government.
With the support of Shahzain Bugti, Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Tariq Bashir Cheema and four independent members, the opposition has managed to gain the support of 176 parliamentarians in the lower house above the psychological mark of 172.
The opposition, on the other hand, also claims the support of more estranged parliamentarians of the PTI.