ISLAMABAD: State minister for information Farrukh Habib said on Monday Prime Minister Imran Khan had nominated Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, leader of a key coalition party, as chief minister of Punjab, as Pakistan's opposition tabled a no-confidence motion against Khan in the National Assembly, seeking his ouster from office.
Habib also said Usman Buzdar, the chief minister of Punjab, had resigned from office and Elahi’s Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid party would side with Khan in the no-trust vote, expected to take place early next month. The PML-Q has not yet confirmed the government’s statement but Pakistan’s Geo News channel quoted Elahi’s son Moonis Elahi as saying his father had accepted the PM’s offer.
"All issues were settled in the meeting," Habib said on Twitter about Elahi's meeting with Khan. "PML-Q expresses confidence in PM and announces support [in no-confidence vote]."
"Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to nominate Chaudhry Pervez Elahi as Chief Minister of Punjab."
If confirmed, PML-Q’s support would be crucial for Khan in a no-confidence vote sought by the opposition earlier this month and tabled today, Monday. Khan's four coalition parties have a total of 20 seats in the lower house of parliament. Without them, Khan's party, which has 155 seats in the lower house, would fall short of the 172 needed to retain power.
"Through this resolution... this House resolves that it has no confidence in the prime minister, Mr Imran Khan Niazi," Shehbaz Sharif, the National Assembly opposition leader, said as he tabled the motion.
"And, consequently, he shall seize to hold office," he said to loud thumping of desks by opposition lawmakers.
Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri announced that a debate on the resolution would be held on Thursday, adjourning the session until 4pm on March 31.
The opposition requires at least 172 votes in the 342-member National Assembly to topple PM Khan’s government. The current party position in the lower house of parliament shows the opposition collectively has 162 members, while the government enjoys the support of 179 lawmakers, including its coalition partners.
The ruling PTI accuses the opposition of bribing its lawmakers to vote against the prime minister.
