ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party on Friday announced filing a reference in the Supreme Court, seeking interpretation of article 63 (A) of the constitution that relates to the disqualification of parliamentarians on grounds of defection, ahead of a no-trust vote in parliament.
The development came a day after several legislators from the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party announced withdrawal of their support to the prime minister and joined the opposition’s ranks to topple the government.
A parliamentarian can be disqualified on grounds of defection if he “votes or abstains from voting” in parliament contrary to any direction issued by the parliamentary party they belong to, Article 63 (A) says. While government officials say the law is preventive in nature, the opposition says the defection clause will apply only after a legislator is found to have violated the party’s policy.
“The Supreme Court will be asked about the legal status of the vote of party members when they are clearly involved in horse-trading and change their loyalties in exchange for money,” Information Minister Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said on Twitter, after a meeting chaired by the prime minister to look into legal options to deal with the opposition’s no-confidence motion.
“Will members who switch their loyalties for financial gains be disqualified for life or will they be allowed to run for a re-election?”
Hussain said the apex court would be requested to conduct daily hearings for a judgment on the reference.
The opposition filed a no-confidence motion against the prime minister on March 8, accusing him of mismanaging the economy, poor governance and foreign policy. Opposition parties collectively have 163 lawmakers in the 342-member National Assembly, while the government enjoys the support of 179 legislators, including its coalition partners.
The opposition requires support of at least 172 members to topple Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.
The government’s coalition partners, which have a total of 17 members in the National Assembly, have not yet decided to part ways or stay with the government.
The president can file a reference in the Supreme Court for the interpretation of any legal matter, according to experts.
“Once the reference is filed, it will be up to the apex court as to how quickly it decides on it,” Barrister Ahmed Pansota told Arab News. “It may take weeks and months.”
Pansota said the Supreme Court might not stay the vote of no-confidence as it was a parliamentary matter, but still “there are lots of ifs and buts.”
At a press conference earlier in Islamabad, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed tried to convince the ruling party dissidents to not vote against the prime minister. “All those who have been sold should return to the party [PTI],” he urged.
Ahmed said the government had information about five to six dissidents, but they were now found to be between ten and twelve.
“Come back, we’ll repaint you,” he said, adding the dissidents would regret their decision if they would not return to the PTI fold.
Pakistan government to seek court’s interpretation on law relating to disqualification of defecting lawmakers
https://arab.news/mnb94
Pakistan government to seek court’s interpretation on law relating to disqualification of defecting lawmakers
- Several ruling party lawmakers have joined opposition to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan
- Legal experts say the Supreme Court may take weeks and months to decide on the matter
Pakistan, ADB sign $730 loan agreements to boost SOE reforms, energy infrastructure
- Both sign $330 million Power Transmission Strengthening Project and $400 million SOE Transformation Program loan agreements
- Economic Affairs Division official says Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening national grid’s backbone
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Thursday signed two loan agreements totaling $730 million to boost reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and energy infrastructure in the country, the bank said.
The first of the two agreements pertains to the SOE Transformation Program worth $400 million while the second loan, worth $330 million, is for a Power Transmission Strengthening Project, the lender said.
The agreements were signed by ADB Country Director for Pakistan Emma Fan and Pakistan’s Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Humair Karim.
“The agreements demonstrate ADB’s enduring commitment to supporting sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan,” the ADB said.
Pakistan’s SOEs have incurred losses worth billions of dollars over the years due to financial mismanagement and corruption. These entities, including the country’s national airline Pakistan International Airlines, which was sold to a private group this week, have relied on subsequent government bailouts over the years to operate.
The ADB approved the $400 million loan for SOE reforms on Dec. 12. It said the program seeks to improve governance and optimize the performance of Pakistan’s commercial SOEs.
Karim highlighted that the Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enable reliable evacuation of 2,300 MW from Pakistan’s upcoming hydropower projects, relieve overloading of existing transmission lines and enhance resilience under contingency conditions, the Press Information Department (PID) said.
“The Secretary emphasized that both initiatives are transformative in nature as the Transmission Project will secure Pakistan’s energy future by strengthening the backbone of the national grid whereas the SOE Program will enhance transparency, efficiency and sustainability of state-owned enterprises nationwide,” the PID said.
The ADB has supported reforms by Pakistan to strengthen its public finance and social protection systems. It has also undertaken programs in the country to help with post-flood reconstruction, improve food security and social and human capital.
To date, ADB says it has committed 764 public sector loans, grants and technical assistance totaling $43.4 billion to Pakistan.
