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 urges concessional finance for developing nations to boost clean energy security
- Pakistan has emerged as one of world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12GWs of off-grid and 6GWs of net-metered capacity in 2025
- PM’s aide says Islamabad remains committed to Paris Agreement, looks for continued support in building a resilient and low-carbon future
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged international partners to scale up concessional financing for developing countries, the country’s Press Information Department (PID) said on Sunday, citing an aide to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The call was made by Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, Romina Khurshid Alam, while delivering Pakistan’s national statement at the 16th International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan has emerged as one of the world’s fastest growing solar markets, with 12 gigawatts (GWs) of off-grid and over 6GWs of net-metered solar capacity by the end of 2025. Last fiscal year, renewables accounted for a historic 53 percent of total electricity generation, according to Alam.
The prime minister’s aide stressed that affordable funding for developing nations is critical to accelerating their transition to clean energy and strengthening energy security amid rising climate and economic challenges.
“Alam reaffirmed Pakistan’s target of achieving 60 percent renewables in the power mix by 2030,” the PID said in a statement.
“In her call to action, she urged IRENA and Member States to increase concessional finance for developing nations, treat technologies such as energy storage and green hydrogen as global public goods, and strengthen regional cooperation for shared energy security.”
IRENA is a global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transition, and provides state of the art data and analyzes on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. Its membership comprises 170 countries and the European Union (EU).
The 16th session of the IRENA Assembly is taking place on Jan. 10-12 in Abu Dhabi and focuses on the theme of “Powering Humanity: Renewable Energy for Shared Prosperity.” The session has gathered global leaders and energy decision-makers to discuss strategies and underline necessary actions for the acceleration of renewable energy across countries, regions, and the world, driving economic inclusion, equity, and human well-being.
Alam shared that Pakistan is taking action against energy poverty through initiatives like the Punjab Solar Panel Scheme 2026, which provides free or subsidized systems to low-income households.
She highlighted how distributed solar kits have restored power and livelihoods in flood-affected communities and offer a replicable model for climate-resilient recovery.
“Pakistan remains fully committed to the Paris Agreement and looks to IRENA for continued technical and financial support in building a resilient, inclusive, and low-carbon future,” Alam said.
Adopted in 2015 to combat climate change, the Paris Agreement binds nations to hold “the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and pursue efforts “to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.”
