ISLAMABAD: Even before voting on the no-confidence motion, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) sought the disqualification of its defecting MNAs on Saturday.

However, according to one of the leaders of the opposition alliance, disqualification cannot be enforced upon “based on mere intentions”.

The request seeking disqualification of the parliamentarians was submitted to National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser by Amir Dogar, chief whip of the ruling party in the lower house of parliament.

The letter is titled, “Declaration for disqualification on grounds of defection under article 63-A(1a) of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973”.

In letters to NA speaker, party seeks disqualification of around 20 lawmakers

Around 20 letters were submitted for each of the MNAs who had announced their lack of trust in the leadership of Imran Khan.

The letters were written on behalf of PTI Chairman Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, highlighting the names of the MNAs elected on PTI tickets.

The letter added that the information was available on the media, including broadcast and videos circulated on different forums, that the MNAs had left the PTI parliamentary party and joined the opposition benches, who have brought a motion of vote of no-confidence against the prime minister on March 8, 2022.

The contents of the videos shown by the media, the letter said, were neither denied nor were rebuttals issued by the members in question.

The PTI has also referred to show cause notices issued to members on March 31, 2022, where the opportunity was provided to them to appear before the “Head of the Parliamentary Party” and clarify why a declaration may not be issued against them, in compliance with constitutional provisions.

The letter to the speaker added that the said MNAs failed to respond or reply, and did not even provid an adequate response to the show cause notices.

On the other hand spokesman, PPP Sindh spokesperson Saeed Ghani has said that action can only be taken against MNAs when they vote against the party line in the election of the prime minister, finance bill or in a vote of no-confidence against the PM.

“The idea that any member was planning to vote against the prime minister of the party they got elected from… the law is not based on intentions,” he added.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2022