BAP's Rubina Irfan rebuts claims of going against party decision

• BAP MNA Rubina Irfan says she is bound by party decision.
• Irfan says she will vote against PM Imran Khan.
• BAP has parted ways with govt; joined Opposition.

BAP MNA Rubina Irfan has rebutted claims that she will go against her party's decision and clarified that she will cast her vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan when the National Assembly votes on the no-confidence motion.

"Over my dead body, I will not vote for PTI," she said in a video statement after a private TV channel's anchor claimed that the BAP lawmaker would side with the government.

Irfan stated that the news that was aired is false and that she is bound by her party's decisions. "I have neither met any minister nor have I promised to vote for PTI."

The BAP leader warned the anchor that she would take him to court and report him to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) if he airs false news against her.

In a blow to the government, BAP Parliamentary Leader Khalid Magsi had said a day earlier that his party would support the Opposition's no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

The setback came after former special assistant to PM (SAPM) on Reconciliation and Harmony on Balochistan and Jamhoori Watan Party leader Shah­zain Bugti announced to part ways with the government and side with the Opposition.

Rifts have also emerged in the PML-Q as Federal Minister for Housing and Works Tariq Bashir Cheema has resigned from office and decided to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan.

The government seems to be cornered as after the JWP, BAP, Cheema, and Independent MNA from Balochistan Mohammad Aslam Bhootani's announcements, they appear to have lost seven votes — at a time when every vote counts.

However, BAP leader and Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal has not parted ways with the government and will vote against the no-confidence motion.