Opposition Leader in the National Assembly and PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif Wednesday floated the idea of forming a national government in which PTI has no participation.
“The national government — sans PTI — should be formed for the next five years,” the PML-N president said during an interview with Geo News’ programme “Capital Talk”.
Mentioning that it was his personal idea of forming such a government, Shahbaz said that the new leadership that comes into power should work with all the dedication so as to set a benchmark.
“And then we can see what happens,” he told senior journalist and anchorperson Hamid Mir.
With the National Assembly session for voting on the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan just weeks away, the government is trying to woo its allies for supporting it during the voting.
The Opposition is also attempting to cajole the PTI allies and seeking to break the government alliance in the lower house — by holding back-to-back meetings with them.
PM Imran Khan has said that he is ready for everything that the Opposition plans to throw his way — but he has also intensified meetings with allies ahead of the no-trust motion session.
Both — the government and the Opposition — are set to hold massive rallies in Islamabad before the crucial session — with the government’s gathering scheduled for March 27, while the Opposition’s “long march” will take place after March 25, once the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) session ends.
Numbers game
It is noteworthy that the three allies have 17 representatives in the National Assembly. If these parties join the Opposition, the PTI government’s strength will fall to 162 from 179, and the total number of MNAs in the unified opposition would rise to 179.
To pass the no-trust motion, the Opposition needed the backing of 172 MNAs. The NA currently has a total membership of 341 members, with one seat empty.
The illustration shows the breakdown of the representatives of the government and the Opposition in the National Assembly. — Illustration via Geo News
The ruling coalition now has 179 MNAs in favour, while the Opposition has 162 MNAs in the lower house of parliament. The Opposition required the backing of ten more MNAs to dislodge the Imran Khan government.
An explosion in the Shahrag neighborhood of the Harnai region of Balochistan on Friday claimed the lives of at least 11 persons and injured a number more.
Police say the explosion happened close to a car that was transporting coal mine personnel. They said that numerous injured people are in critical condition.
After arriving at the scene, law enforcement officers began gathering evidence.
Eleven laborers were confirmed dead in the explosion by the deputy commissioner of Harnai. Swat and Shangla were responsible for the majority of the fatalities and injuries.
Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of Turkey, has underlined the pressing need for international environmental action. Speaking at the Environmental Sustainability event in Islamabad, Emine Erdoğan emphasized the two nations’ long-standing friendship. Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz also addressed the event.
In five separate encounters in the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, security forces have killed thirteen Khwarij. ISPR reports that security personnel carried out an intelligence-based operation in the general vicinity of Khulachi, Dera Ismail Khan District, in response to the reported presence of Khwarij. During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the Khwarij Location, resultantly, Five Khwarij including Kharji Shah Gul Alias Rohani were sent to hell. In two separate encounters in north Waziristan District, fire exchange took place between the security forces and Khwarij in general areas Dosali and Tappi. Resultantly, five Khwarij were effectively neutralized by own troops.
In another encounter that took place in Lakki Marwat District, Two Khwarij were sent to hell.