The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM-P) has dealt a severe blow to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and decided to desert the ruling alliance and support the joint opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Taking to Twitter, MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari wrote: “The agreement between the joint Opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan has been finalised.”
“After the ratification of the proposed agreement by the PPP CEC, MQM Pakistan Coordinating Committee, the details will be revealed before the media tomorrow at 4pm,” he continued.
In a statement, an MQM-P spokesperson also confirmed the party’s Rabta Committee would meet at 2 pm on Wednesday at the Bahadurabad office where the draft would be presented for ratification.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also confirmed through his Twitter account writing that that the united opposition and MQMP have reached an agreement. MQMP Rabta Committee PPP CEC will ratify the agreement. “We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow [Wednesday] Insha Allah. Congratulations Pakistan,” he said.
GOVT LOSES MAJORITY: Following the new development, the government has lost the majority in the National Assembly and the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran will likely be successful on April 3.
With 177 members, the opposition now has more numbers in the NA and they do not need the support of the disgruntled PTI MNAs. On the other hand, 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 Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) Chief Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari have also signed the agreement.
As Fazal was leaving Parliament Lodges after signing the draft, a journalist asked him why the opposition had not formally announced the development. At this, he said: “Some internal matters have to be resolved between the parties.”
Meanwhile, it is learnt that two ministers belonging to the MQM-P, Law Minister Farogh Naseem and IT Minister Amin-ul-Haque, will resign from the federal cabinet in line with the party decision.
PARTY POSITION: The following is the likely position in the National Assembly which will vote on no-confidence resolution on April 3:
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
PTI DELEGATION MEETS MQM-P LEADERS: Later, a delegation of the PTI showed up at Parliament Lodges to have talks with the MQM-P. The PTI leaders expressed optimism, saying the latter responded in a good manner.
“Another meeting will take place today,” Sindh Governor Imran Ismail told the media while going back from the Lodges. “No point regarding the MQM-P minister tendering resignation came under discussion.”
“The opposition is offering what they do not have,” the governor said, adding that the “alliance between the MQM-P and the PPP is unnatural. However, if MQM-P wants to form an alliance with [the] latter, it is their wish. But the PPP has always betrayed the MQM-P.”
Ismail said he did not know about the agreement between the MQM-P and the opposition. “I saw [MQM-P leader] Faisal Subzwari’s tweet about their agreement with the opposition,” he added.
“But I have not seen the agreement nor do I know its details.”
“What they [the combined Opposition] want is to save their previous theft and move on to do some more,” he said. “The MQM-P’s response was good. They will meet today,” he added.
