Opposition accuses National Assembly speaker of ‘trampling’ constitution by delaying no-trust proceedings

ISLAMABAD: Shehbaz Sharif, the opposition leader in the National Assembly (NA) of Pakistan, on Friday accused Speaker Asad Qaiser of “trampling” the constitution by delaying the tabling of a no-confidence motion filed against Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this month. 
Pakistan’s parliament was to start proceedings today, Friday, into a no-confidence motion filed by a joint opposition on March 8. However, Speaker Qaiser adjourned the session without taking up the no-trust motion after prayers were offered for a lawmaker who had passed away recently. The next session is now scheduled for Monday, March 28. 
As per parliamentary tradition, in the event of the death of a lawmaker, the session is adjourned after offering prayers for the deceased on the first session held after the death. Ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) legislator Khayal Zaman Orakzai passed away last month from liver disease. 
The opposition leader accused the NA speaker of violating the constitution, saying such “partisan behavior” didn’t suit him. 
“NA Speaker continues to trample upon constitutional provisions. This partisan behavior does not suit the custodian of the House,” Sharif said on Twitter. 
“Adjournment of NA session is part of desperate efforts to disrupt no-confidence process. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics!” 
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who heads the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), said Speaker Qaiser provided another weak “excuse” to avoid tabling no-confidence motion in the National Assembly. 
“Imran can’t run forever. PM has no sportsman sprit and cannot face defeat with grace,” Bilawal said on Twitter. “The once great Kaptaan will go down.” 
Earlier, a tweet on the National Assembly’s account confirmed adjournment of the session, saying the House would meet again at 4pm on Monday. 
The opposition all together commands 163 seats in the national assembly but could build a majority if lawmakers defecting from Khan’s ruling party were to join its ranks in the no-confidence vote. 
Khan has filed a court petition seeking a lifetime ban on the defectors while also appealing to them to return to the ruling party. He has also called on the public to show support for his premiership by holding a “million-man” rally in Islamabad on Sunday. 
Planning Minister Asad Umar claimed the opposition did not have the required numbers to oust PM Khan in Friday’s brief session of the assembly. 
“The opposition seems to be in a state of worry. Today as well, they could not achieve the numbers they tried to,” he told reporters as he visited Islamabad’s Parade Ground — the venue of the government’s rally. 
“Their numbers were not complete today.”