‘NA speaker has right to disqualify any PTI MNA who will vote for other party’: Sheikh Rasheed

Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Thursday said National Assembly (NA) Speaker Asad Qaiser has the right to disqualify any Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Members of National Assembly (MNA) who “crossed floor” (to vote against your party) in the lower house and that “no one can challenge that”.

According to the federal minister, all political parties gave this right to the Speaker in the 18th Amendment in an effort to stop horse-trading.

“Let them [Opposition] fulfil their desire. Imran Khan is on his way towards winning. The Speaker has the right to disqualify any ruling party MNA who disrespects the votes they got due to IK,” he said.

Talking to the media, the minister said the no-confidence move would be a “moment of satisfaction” for the premier. He also termed the week from March 23 to 30 as important.

In a tweet, Rasheed urged PTI supporters to be present at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on the day of the vote to celebrate a “day of thanksgiving” for the PM’s success.

Speaking on ARY News, Supreme Court lawyer Faisal Hussain gave a detailed analysis on the no-confidence motion and the government’s options.

After submission of the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan, the government has come up with a strategy of not showing up on the D-Day. Asad Umar said that it is the Opposition’s job to show that they have the support of 172 MNAs and therefore government lawmakers would not attend the no-confidence vote.

Talking to 92 News, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the Speaker will not count the votes of PTI members who vote against the PM.