PM to get support of 200 MNAs if opposition moves no-confidence motion

In the backdrop of the Joint Investigation Report (JIT) report in Panama Leaks, the opposition is exerting pressure on the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign and may also try to move a no confidence motion against him as a last resort.

According to reports, in the 342-member National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) enjoys the majority with 218 MNAs, including its coalition partners, and the prime minister is likely to get the support of more than 200 members if he faces a no-confidence motion.

The aforementioned movement against the premier needs at least the votes of 175 MNAs to get successful. There are 189 members of PML-N in the National Assembly, 13 of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), five of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), three of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), two of National Peoples Party, one apiece of Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) and National Party, and four independent members—which take PML-N’s tally to 218.

On the other hand, 88 members of opposition seem united against the PM, including 47 MNAs of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Furthermore, it is premature to comment on the alliances of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP), Balochistan National Party, Qaumi Watan Party (QWP), All Pakistan Muslim League (APML), and one independent member.

According to PML-N sources, if Nawaz Sharif faces a no-confidence motion, he will be supported by more than 240 members. On the contrary, Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed has claimed that there is a forward block of 44 members in PML-N, and Senator Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa has asserted that the forward block includes 92 MNAs of PML-N.

As per the Constitution of Pakistan, those members will be disqualified who vote against their respective party policies in the no-confidence motion. Therefore, the displeased members of any party will prefer to remain absent during the voting.