ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Thursday expressed “full” confidence in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership as the government faces a dispute with the Supreme Court over the elections.
Pakistan People’s Party Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari moved the resolution on which 180 members of the National Assembly (MNAs) voted yes, compared to 174 when Shehbaz Sharif was elected prime minister last April. The year
The resolution said that the National Assembly of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan expresses full confidence in the leadership of Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
After the assembly rejected the money bill presented by the government to provide funds to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for holding elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on the orders of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister passed the vote of confidence. took
When the bill was rejected, apparently for the first time in history, the Supreme Court – while hearing a petition calling for a simultaneous election – showed that the Prime Minister did not have the confidence of the House.
In its order, the SC said: “In terms of the system of parliamentary democracy envisaged by the Constitution, [the Prime Minister] must at all times enjoy the confidence of a majority of the National Assembly.”
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan also received a vote of confidence from the lower house on 6 March 2021 – securing 178 votes, six more than needed to retain a majority. Tehreek-e-Insaf faced defeat in the Senate elections.
Chief Law Minister Nazir Tarar also moved a resolution seeking Parliament’s advice on whether to bring a bill to sanction funds for the KP and Punjab elections, and the House expectedly rejected the resolution.
‘Don’t accept decision of 3-member bench’
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly after receiving the vote of confidence, the Prime Minister thanked the coalition parties for showing confidence in his leadership.
“Today, Pakistan is facing serious challenges […] Pakistan’s economy was growing before the 2018 elections,” he said, blaming the previous PTI-led government for the current economic crisis.
“The whole world” is aware of how the RTS was compromised and the 2018 election results were manipulated. He said that when we challenged the election results, former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar ordered to stop the recount of votes.
Both assemblies were dissolved at the behest of Imran Khan to create difficulties for the government when talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were underway.
Referring to the PTI chief’s ‘foreign conspiracy’ narrative, Prime Minister Shehbaz said the current government was importing cheap Russian oil “which will come into the country soon”.
وزیراعظم پاکستان میاں محمد شہباز شریف کا قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں اظہارِ خیال۔#NASession @CMShehbaz @RPAPPP pic.twitter.com/Ef4SEWPH33
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) April 27, 2023
He said that if his government had been formed as a result of a foreign-backed conspiracy, it would not have imported oil from Russia.
Today the decisions of Parliament are being challenged. It is not possible for a court to stay the implementation of a law which has not yet come into force,” he said about the Supreme Court’s decision to stay the implementation of the bill to curb the Chief Justice’s powers.
“We do not accept the decision of the three-member bench, we accept the decision of the four-judge majority,” he said, referring to the decision of the Supreme Court in the Punjab election delay case.
“The coalition parties have decided to negotiate with the PTI in the Senate and we will send our representatives in this regard today, but the discussion will be only on the holding of elections across the country.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that legislation is the constitutional right of Parliament. No power in the world can take away the power of Parliament. I am a member of this Parliament and I stand with you,” he thundered.
The Prime Minister also said that even if the Supreme Court disqualifies him for not following its order, he will accept it to maintain the supremacy of the Parliament.
No talks ‘under duress’
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) leader Maulana Asad Mehmood demanded to summon three judges of the Supreme Court including Chief Justice Umar Atta Bandial to the Privileges Committee of the House.
On the floor of the House, the JUI-F leader said judges cannot overrule Parliament as it is the “highest” forum of public representation.
Mehmood added that the government should stick to its stand of holding simultaneous elections across the country and not come under any pressure – not even from the Supreme Court.
“We agree with the Prime Minister’s proposal for talks, but we will not negotiate under pressure; we will reject it,” the JUI-F leader said. .
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif in his speech said that the Prime Minister has said that he will accept the disqualification, but the House does not accept any decision of the three judges who are acting as ‘facilitators’ of the PTI chief. .
The defense minister said “…we have been asked to negotiate. This is the Supreme Court. We respect the Supreme Court, but that is not its job. Decisions made to protect one’s interests are acceptable.” are not done,” said the Defense Minister
Asif emphasized that the Prime Minister should not leave the seat because of three judges. “This House has repeatedly said that it does not accept [minority] decisions.”
