LAHORE, June 22: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi said on Sunday that the no-confidence motion against the National Assembly speaker would be defeated as the opposition itself was facing a rift in its ranks.

He was speaking at a reception arranged by MPA Dr Anjum Amjad for the treasury members of the Punjab Assembly here.

The chief minister said the no-confidence motion reflected despondency and confusion of the opposition which would face only embarrassment in the end.

He said the opposition was not united and that was why saner elements in it continued to advice not to move the no-confidence motion against the speaker till in the last.

The chief minister said the opposition in the Punjab Assembly was playing a dual game. In the Punjab, it was talking of cooperation and dialogue whereas its moves like the no-confidence motion against the National Assembly speaker established that it was conspiring against democracy.

He said the no-confidence motion also indicated that the opposition was not interested in the rule of law, national development and people-welfare related projects, and its real objective was to create political unrest in the country.

The chief minister said the people believed in the present political system and rightly considered that the opposition was trying to create instability in the country instead of playing its democratic role in a positive manner.

He said political stability and continuation of the democratic system was necessary for sustainable economic development.

The treasury members in the Punjab assembly had given solid proposals, proving that they were able to represent their constituencies and people.

MPA Dr Anjum Amjad praised the chief minister for promoting democratic norms through his sagacity and tolerance. The policies of the chief minister during the past few months would help the province develop, she said.