There may be surprise in store for opposition's no-confidence motion: Shibli Faraz

Published July 10, 2019
The Senate of Pakistan. Photo: Senate website
The Senate of Pakistan. Photo: Senate website

Leader of the House in the Senate Shibli Faraz on Wednesday said that there might be surprise waiting for the opposition, which is pushing for a motion of no-confidence against Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani.

"We are working on a strategy to ensure that the motion of no-confidence fails," he said.

"We are in contact with quite a few of the opposition senators," he claimed. "The opposition hasn't even finalised its candidate yet — and they're going to have quite a bit of difficulty in doing so."

Editorial: The opposition's MPC was highly unimpressive

He was quick to state that the PTI remains firmly against horse-trading in Senate elections.

"We are strongly against the [mis]use of money in Senate elections. We have always opposed the use of wealth to sway the democratic process," he asserted.

He noted that the opposition needs 53 votes to oust Sanjrani, "which I feel is very improbable."

"It's their job to get the numbers, but the opposition seems split. [That's why] the result of a vote of no-confidence can be a surprise."

"A majority of the opposition senators are unhappy with the motion," he claimed. "They think it's only a tactic to put pressure on the government."

Opinion

Editorial

Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...
Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...