Opposition in NWFP assembly planning no-confidence move
By Ahmed Hassan
ISLAMABAD, Sept 27: The combined opposition in the NWFP assembly on Thursday announced that it would resist the dissolution of provincial assembly by using all options, including moving a no-confidence motion or going to the court.
It said the APDM’s move to dissolve the assembly was aimed at depriving the legislators of the right to cast their votes in the presidential election to be held on October 6.
The opposition in the NWFP assembly comprises the PPP (Sherpao), ruling PML and a group of independent members. It has lost the support of PML (N) and ANP MPAs who are now part of the APDM alliance.
Speaking at a press conference here, NWFP president of the ruling PML and federal Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam claimed that the opposition had over 50 seats in the 124-member Frontier assembly, adding that the number could increase as a number MMA MPAs had contacts with him.
Although Mr Muqam did not disclose the timing of the move, some private TV channels said that opposition members had signed the no-confidence motion which was likely to be submitted to the provincial assembly speaker in a couple of days.
“We have held a meeting of 37 MPAs here today and we will again meet in Peshawar on Friday to discuss the option of moving a no-confidence motion or going to the court in order to stop the provincial chief minister for advising the governor to dissolve the assembly,” he added.
The opposition needs 20 per cent or 25 members of the 124-seat Frontier assembly to move a no-confidence motion. At present it has 31 solid votes and claims to have clandestine support of some MMA members. Even if its tally reaches 50, it will still have deficiency of 14 votes for a simple majority. The speaker is bound to convene the house within 14 days of receiving the motion.
