PTI, MQM shelf planned no-trust move against Khurshid Shah

Despite being ignored and abandoned in major decision-making by Leader of the Opposition Syed Khurshid Shah, the widening gulf between the top leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has forced both opposition parties to shelve a joint move to bring a no-confidence motion against Shah.

Despite public claims by Shah to have consulted the leaders of PTI and MQM, the leadership of both opposition parties claimed they had not been approached by the former and blamed the PPP leader of being “in league” with the government to appoint officials against top positions through underhand deal.

Being ignored in major decision-making process between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Opposition Leader Syed Khurshid Shah, PTI chief Imran Khan is feeling besieged and has decided to shelve his plan to open a new front within the opposition block.

Top leaders in both political parties have confided in Pakistan Today that both the parties, who were mulling to table a no-trust motion against Shah, have now backtracked on their plans soon after exchange of a new wave of war of words in wake of the report by National Database & Registration Authority (NADRA) that around 77,000 votes polled in NA-256 were fake.

“We have strong reservations against the way NAB chairman was appointed under an underhand deal between the PML-N and PPP. But for the time being, we have decided to shelve any plan to open another front in opposition,” said a top PTI leader.

A senior MQM leader said his party was not ready to go with the PTI hand in hand against the PPP leadership, as both had been coalition partners in the Centre and Sindh for many years. However, he said his party was covertly building pressure on the PPP leaders by fuelling such rumours.

“We aimed at building pressure on the PPP’s top leadership which has unleashed an MQM-specific operation in across Sindh, especially in Karachi. We want them to review their strategy. But if this witch-hunt continues, we may opt to bring a joint no trust move against Khurshid Shah,” he asserted.

Asked whether his party would go into an alliance with its bitter rival PTI, the MQM leader said when you are stuck between the devil and the deep sea, one had to strategise. “We can make an alliance with the devil to avenge the plight of our workers,” he maintained.

PTI Secretary-Information Dr Shireen Mazari said no joint move was planned yet.

“But we are concerned about leader of opposition ‘going alone’ with the government and not consulting opposition parties,” she said.

The PTI leader also hinted at her party’s plan to challenge the numeric strength of the PPP in the National Assembly, saying, “We are also re-examining our own strength in National Assembly after the recent by-election”.

PTI strongman from Karachi, Asad Umar, also said there was no plan to table a joint move against Khurshid Shah.

“Nothing is decided so far,” he said and added that nothing could be ruled out.

The PPP has 44 members in the NA, while the PTI has also increased its number from 31 to 35 – thanks to some success in the recent by-polls. The MQM has 24 lawmakers in the NA.

Both the PTI and MQM can outnumber the PPP nominee from the opposition leader’s slot if they moved jointly.