Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid on Thursday seemed confident about the government’s ability to defeat the no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying those Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmakers who will cross the floor to vote against the premier will be disqualified by the speaker.
Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, the federal minister said the speaker has powers to disqualify lawmakers over possible defection.
At the time of the passage of the 18th Amendment, all political parties decided to give these powers to the speaker to stop horse-trading, Rashid claimed. “No one can challenge the ruling of the speaker,” he went on to add.
He said those PTI lawmakers who vote against Imran will face the wrath of the people as well as the political repercussions of their actions.
He further said those PTI lawmakers who sold their vote for money will also face “political encirclement” by the PTI workers. On the day of voting, all followers of Imran will gather outside the National Assembly to celebrate his victory, he added.
Speaking about the allies of the ruling party, the minister said he was sure that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) will stand with Imran Khan. Speaking about Pir Pagara, the head of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), the minister said he has great relations with him. “I can only comment on these two people,” Rashid said, adding that he could not comment on the politics of Punjab.
