ISLAMABAD: The Opposition parties in the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) have got an edge over the ruling party in mustering support of MNAs after MQM-P’s decision to support the no-confidence move against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Opposition and MQM-P have finalised their understanding as a result of which MQM’s federal ministers Farogh Nasim and Aminul Haq will submit their resignations today.
Now with the support of MQM and BAP, the number of MNAs supporting Opposition’s no-confidence move has increased to 177 against requirement of 172 to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan from the power. This number of MNAs does not include names of the estranged PTI MNAs.
With 177 members, the Opposition now has more numbers in the NA and that too without the support of the disgruntled PTI MNAs. The government is left with the support of only 164 members of Parliament.
The MQM-P’s decision to side with the Opposition came after both sides signed a draft prepared by Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab.
Leader of the Opposition in the NA Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari have also signed the agreement.
As Fazl was leaving Parliament Lodges after the signing the draft, a journalist asked the PDM chief why the Opposition had not formally announced the development. At this, he said: “Some internal matters have to be resolved between the parties.”
From the Opposition, MQM-P has demanded two ministries in the center, share in Sindh government, change in the local bodies laws in Sindh along with powers for LBs representatives and development funds, etc.
Here is the latest number-game of MNAs of the PTI and Opposition:
Government
- PTI — 155
- PML-Q — 4
- GDA — 3
- AML — 1
- BAP — 1
Total: 164
Opposition
- PML-N — 84
- PPP — 56
- MMA —14
- BAP — 4
- BNP-M — 4
- Independent — 4
- ANP — 1
- JWP — 1
- JI — 1
- MQM-P — 7
- PML-Q — 1
Total: 177
MQM confirms development
Taking to Twitter, MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari wrote: “The agreement between the joint Opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan has been finalised.”
