Summary to dissolve provincial assembly prepared by Punjab CM Usman Buzdar: sources
March 26, 2022
- Sources say CM Usman Buzdar may sign the summary if PM Imran Khan agrees to the suggestion.
- Officials say PM Imran has taken CM Usman Buzdar with him to Islamabad.
- The Opposition has shown its inclination of moving a no-confidence motion against CM Usman Buzdar after removing PM Imran Khan.
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has prepared a summary to dissolve the Punjab Assembly, sources privy to the development told Geo News on Saturday.
According to sources, the CM House has developed the summary on Buzdar's advice and he may sign the document if PM Imran Khan agrees to the suggestion.
The sources also said that CM Buzdar is ready to resign if PM Imran Khan asks him to do so. They said that the CM was with PM Imran for the public gathering in Kamalia, adding that the premier has taken Buzdar with him to Islamabad.
The development comes as PM Imran Khan battles to save his seat against the no-confidence motion submitted by the Opposition.
The Opposition had submitted a no-confidence motion against PM Imran on March 8. The premier has been under pressure since then as many lawmakers within the PTI have shown indication that they would back the Opposition at the centre.
On the same day, sources had told Geo News that many senior PTI leaders associated with the federal government are in favour of the removal of CM Buzdar.
The Opposition has also shown its inclination to move against CM Buzdar after they remove PM Imran at the centre via the no-confidence motion.
On March 17, sources had told Geo News that the Opposition had contacted the Punjab Assembly secretariat to know the procedures to move a no-confidence motion against the CM.
PML-Q leader Pervaiz Elahi had shared in a recent interview that the Opposition has offered him the chief minister's post in return for his party's support in the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.
Interestingly, two disgruntled groups of PTI, Jahangir Tareen and Aleem Khan factions, have also demanded the removal of CM Buzdar.
Under Article 112(1) of the constitution, the governor has the authority to dissolve a provincial assembly on the advice of the chief minister.
"The Governor shall dissolve the Provincial Assembly if so advised by the Chief Minister; and the Provincial Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, stand dissolved at the expiration of forty-eight hours after the Chief Minister has so advised," the article reads.
Punjab Assembly position
Currently, in the Punjab Assembly, PTI and its allies have 198 members. Out of the 198, PTI has 183 MPAs, PML-Q 10, and four independent members.
On the other hand, the Opposition has 173 MPAs in total. Out of the 173, PML-N has 165 MPAs, PPP seven and one independent MPA.
Anyone who wishes to form the government needs to have the backing of at least 186 MPAs.
