Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally ordered Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNAs not to attend the National Assembly session for the no-confidence vote, citing Article-63A.
As decreed in a circular issued by the PTI Central Secretariat and signed by PM Imran, “no member shall attend or make himself/herself available at the time and day of voting on the resolution of No-Confidence.”
The statement further directs all PTI MNAs to “abstain from voting / not attend the meeting in the National Assembly on the date when the said resolution is set out.” A copy of the statement is available on Dawn.
“All members are required to adhere to these directions in true letter [and] spirit and keep in mind the intent behind the provision of Article 63-A of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973.”
The PTI government has sought the opinion of the Supreme Court on Article 63-A, which governs whether or not a dissenting party member can cast a vote of no-confidence against their party leader.
Despite the recent coalition between PTI and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), the ruling party remains weary of disgruntled party lawmakers, who earlier this month decamped to Sindh House in protest. Sources have claimed that at least 17 dissident PTI lawmakers were willing to return to the party should Usman Buzdar, who resigned earlier this week, be replaced.
