The opposition parties will need a total of 172 votes to get the motion approved against the prime minister
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government is adamant, it would not accede to opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s “unconstitutional demands”.
Rehman, who heads his own faction of the right wing Jamiat Ulema-e Islam (JUI-F), has been perched atop of a shipping container, with thousands of supporters, since three days now in the federal capital demanding the prime minister and his cabinet resign.
Other opposition political parties have also made guest appearances at Rehman’s sit-in. While the JUI-F has a nominal presence in the parliament, the other parties have a sizable number of seats in the 342-member house.
Which is why it is important to ask that does the opposition block have a constitutional option available to de-seat the prime minister?
Yes. Article 95 of the constitution allows for a no confidence motion to be tabled against the incumbent premier.
It reads:
Article 95: Vote of no-confidence against Prime Minister
What is a no-confidence motion?
Does the opposition have the numbers to sail through a no-confidence motion?
No.
The opposition parties will need a total of 172 votes to get the motion approved. It currently has 156 seats.
Breakdown:
Political Party | MNAs |
Pakistan Muslim League-N | 84 |
Pakistan People’s Party | 55 |
Awami National Party | 01 |
Muttahida Majlis–e–Amal | 16 |
Total | 156 |
But there is one other option: seeking the support of political parties in alliance with the ruling PTI. These parties have a total representation of:
Political Party | MNAs |
Pakistan Muslim League -Q | 05 |
Muttahida Qaumi Movement- Pakistan | 07 |
Balochistan National Party | 04 |
Independents | 04 |
Total | 20 |