QUETTA: In an apparent move to remove Muhammad Aslam Bhootani for repeatedly refusing to chair sessions of the Balochistan Assembly, members of the house on Wednesday decided to table a no-trust motion against the speaker, DawnNews reported.

Twenty-four MPAs belonging to Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Balochistan National Party (BNP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) have signed the proposal.

The motion was tabled by JUI-F’s provincial minister Ainullah Shams. Voting on the motion is likely to take place on Dec 26.

A rift between Chief Minister Aslam Raisani and the speaker widened after the latter’s refusal to chair sessions of the assembly in wake of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Balochistan law and order case.

The court had questioned the constitutional authority of the provincial government for failing to curb unending strife and lawlessness in Balochistan.

Sources said the post, if it becomes vacant as a result of successful passage of the motion, is likely to go to the JUI-F while consultation over the deputy speaker’s post is currently underway.

Meanwhile, Speaker Bhootani said he would not breach the Constitution for saving his post and would defend himself in the house.

Moreover, Sardar Aslam Bizenjo and Zahoor Buledi staged a walk-out during the session for not being allowed to speak on the issue.