The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday filed a review petition against the Supreme Court’s verdict setting aside the National Assembly deputy speaker’s rejection of the no-trust motion against Imran Khan.
According to local media reports, the petition, filed against the Thursday’s verdict by the apex court, seeks a review of the ruling given by the five member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial.
In another development, Imran Khan has called a cabinet meeting at 9 PM local time.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly session to take the no trust vote against Prime Minister Imran Khan is underway. According to local media reports, the session resumed after it was adjourned as the opposition parties continued to chant slogans pressing for taking up no-confidence motion while Foreign Minister Shah Mohammad Qureshi was speaking.
Later a meeting was held between the treasury and opposition benches in the speaker’s chamber where the opposition called for holding proceedings according to the Supreme Court’s directives.
Earlier, the session began at 11 A.M. (IST) under the chairmanship of Speaker Asad Qaiser.
The voting over no-confidence motion is expected to be held tonight. Heavy security has been deployed outside the National Assembly.
The Court had on Thursday ordered the government to hold voting on the motion today at all costs according to the agenda issued for April 3 session when the Deputy Speaker rejected the motion through a ruling declaring it unconstitutional and a foreign conspiracy.
The apex court also reconstituted the National Assembly which was dissolved by the President on advice of Imran Khan.
On Sunday last, the No-Confidence Motion against Imran Khan’s government was dismissed by the Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri. Terming the move unconstitutional, the Opposition parties had challenged the Speaker’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Under Article 58 of Pakistan’s Constitution, the National Assembly cannot be dissolved, if there is a no-confidence motion against the government.
Meanwhile, US today once again turned down Imran Khan’s allegations regarding the involvement of Washington in toppling his government through a No-Confidence Motion.
In a press briefing, the Deputy State Department Spokeswoman Jalina Porter said, there is absolutely no truth to these allegations. She said, US government supports the constitutional process and rule of law in Pakistan.
