PESHAWAR: Sherpao asks opposition to refrain from agitation
Bureau Report
PESHAWAR, Aug 26: Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Saturday said the opposition had every right to bring a no-trust motion but it should not resort to agitation if its attempt to dislodge Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz failed on Tuesday.
Addressing a news conference, he said the opposition was losing support owing to achievements of the government and it wanted to destabilise the ruling coalition at all costs.
He said the ruling coalition would remain intact in the forthcoming election and opposition would face a crushing defeat.
“We are trying to complete the no-trust move process and facilitating the opposition to demonstrate its strength. In the past also, the combined opposition had filed no-confidence motions against the speaker and deputy speaker of the National Assembly and made a fuss in parliament, but when it came to the crunch, it was out of the process,” the minister said.
However, he stressed, this time they would not allow the opposition to leave the field before the process was complete and said the opposition should take part in show of hands against the prime minister.
Mr Sherpao said: “People were with us and members are with us in the numbers’ game. The opposition will be defeated on Tuesday as it is not in a position to arrange the required numbers.”
He claimed that the opposition wanted to complete its ‘hidden’ agenda, but it would not succeed in its undemocratic plan.
Commenting on the opposition’s role, he said its members had wasted time in thumping desks in parliament during the last four years.
“We want assemblies to complete their tenure and opposition political parties should join hands with us in this task.”
The interior minister said the government had contributed in war on terrorism and built a positive image of the country abroad but the opposition wanted to destroy it.
He said the government would not stop any member from coming to parliament on Tuesday, adding that if anybody had apprehensions the government was ready to transport him or her to the National Assembly on Aug 29 when the motion would be put to vote.
