Opposition leaders to address press conference after submitting no-confidence motion

ISLAMABAD: Following the tabling of the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the three bigwig Opposition leaders — PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-N’s President Shahbaz Sharif, and JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman — are addressing a press conference.

Earlier today, the Opposition had submitted the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly Secretariat in a bid to oust the premier, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb had confirmed.

A total of 86 lawmakers from the Opposition parties have signed the no-confidence motion, sources said. JUI-F’s Shahida Akhtar Ali, PML-N’s Khawaja Saad Rafique, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Ayaz Sadiq, Rana Sanaullah, Khawaja Saad Rafique and PPP’s Naveed Qamar and Shazia Marri submitted the no-trust motion and requisition for a session to the NA Secretariat.

In a major development, former senior minister Punjab Aleem Khan joined Jahangir Khan Tareen’s PTI faction a day earlier as he had reservations regarding the prime minister’s policies. He, however, did not specify who will the group support once the no-confidence motion is moved.

Opposition claims to have the numbers

The Opposition is confident of having the required numbers to remove PM Imran Khan, sources said, adding that they are claiming of having the support of 202 National Assembly members.

The Opposition has claimed that they have the backing of 28 PTI lawmakers and others from an ally of the government, sources said.

PML-N has the support of at least 16 PTI lawmakers, PPP has four, and JUI-F has the support of two lawmakers, sources said.

Meanwhile, six more members from the PTI are in contact with the PML-N, sources said.

Read more: Shehbaz Sharif claims no-confidence motion against Imran Khan is a public demand