Political temperature boils as BAP crossovers to join opposition

ISLAMABAD – March 28 (ONLINE) Balochistan Awami Party (BAP) on Monday announced its support for joint-opposition on no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, parting ways with the ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI).

“Government formed after success of no-confidence motion will work for solution of Balochistan’s problems” Opposition leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said Monday, while addressing presser along with all opposition parties’ leadership and the BAP leadership.

“We look forward to leaving no stone unturned towards Balochistan’s progress,” he said, thanking four BAP MNAs who will vote in favor of opposition.

On this occasion, PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari said soon opposition leader will become Prime Minister. “Balochistan has always helped me a lot. A minister from Balochistan will be included in federal cabinet” Zardari revealed.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) head Maulana Fazlurehman thanked the BAP leadership and Khalid Magsi for their support. He said opposition parties were determined for Balochistan’s progress and developments.

Islamabad’s power-play entered an extremely interesting phase Monday as Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar tendered his resignation before the Prime Minister after opposition submitted a no-confidence motion against him as well. Later, the ruling PTI announced PML-Q’s Chaudhry Parvez Elahi as its new candidate as province’s Chief Minister.

“Chaudhry Parvez Elahi calls on PM Imran Khan. Matters have been settled. PML-Q has shown its confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab CM Usman Buzdar has forwarded his resignation to the PM” State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Farukh Habib tweeted.

“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf will support Ch Parvez Elahi for Punjab CM slot. PML-Q has announced its support for PM Imran Khan” PM’s aide for political communication Shehbaz Gill tweeted just after Farukh Habib.

On the other hand, PML-Q leader and Federal Minister Tariq Bashir Cheema resigned from his office Monday, owing to recent developments. “I have resigned from my portfolio. I will soon issue a detailed statement” Cheema said in a short statement, as per media reports.

Earlier, the joint- opposition on Monday formally moved a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan in the National Assembly.

According to media reports, there were 161 votes in favour of the resolution to move the no-confidence motion in the house from the opposition. While the treasury members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stood on their seats and chanted anti-opposition slogans.

Around 161 members of the Opposition were present in the House when the motion was moved. Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri was in the Chair.

“This House is of the view that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, has lost the confidence of the majority of the members of the National Assembly of Pakistan, therefore he should cease to hold office,” the resolution said.