The opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of buying time to muster support.

It comes after Pakistan National Assembly's crucial session on a no-trust motion against embattled the prime minister was adjourned on Friday without tabling of the resolution.

The voting on the resolution should be held at least three to seven days after it has been laid before the National Assembly, according to rules.

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Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, took aim at Asad Qaisar, the speaker of the lower house, for adjourning the no confidence proceedings until after the weekend.

"We strongly protest it," Sharif told a news conference on Friday said.

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NA Speaker continues to trample upon constitutional provisions. This partisan behaviour does not suit the custodian of the House. Adjournment of NA session is part of desperate efforts to disrupt no-confidence process. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics!
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Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leader of the rival Pakistan People's Party, described the speaker as acting like a "personal servant" of the prime minister.

Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House shortly after the session was adjourned, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif warned that if the no-confidence motion was not allowed to move on Monday, then they would not be responsible for what would come next.

"Asad Qaiser acted as a PTI worker instead of the National Assembly speaker, he said, adding that the opposition would resort to legal and constitutional protests if Qaiser tried to "act as a slave (of Khan)".

He also called for the speaker to be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution, which deals with high treason.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/witchcraft-theft-corruption-its-mud-slinging-time-in-pak-ahead-of-a-no-confidence-vote-465349">Witchcraft, theft, corruption: It's mud-slinging time in Pakistan</a>

"The no-trust motion is going to be our democratic weapon. We will move towards free and fair elections," Bilawal said, adding that the prime minister had lost "his majority and government".

Reacting to Sharif's comments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi demanded an apology from him for his tirade against the speaker.

"The words you have used against Asad Qaiser are inappropriate and I want you to retract the remarks immediately," he said.&nbsp;

Qureshi also refuted claims that the government was "running away" from the no-confidence motion. "We will deal with it in a democratic, political, and legal way."

The political turmoil comes as Pakistan faces a recurring economic crisis, and Khan's government is banking on the International Monetary Fund to release the next tranche of a $6 billion rescue package to shore up dwindling foreign currency reserves.

Khan, a former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team, came to power in 2018, after the leaders of the country's two mainstream parties were discredited by accusations of corruption.

Political analysts say the country's powerful military had supported Khan's rise to power, and that the generals have now become disenchanted with his leadership. Khan has denied receiving backing from the military. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of buying time to muster support. It comes after Pakistan National Assembly's crucial session on a no-trust motion against embattled the prime minister was adjourned on Friday without tabling of the resolution.

The opposition lawmakers in Pakistan have accused Prime Minister Imran Khan of buying time to muster support. It comes after Pakistan National Assembly's crucial session on a no-trust motion against embattled the prime minister was adjourned on Friday without tabling of the resolution. The voting on the resolution should be held at least three to seven days after it has been laid before the National Assembly, according to rules. Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, took aim at Asad Qaisar, the speaker of the lower house, for adjourning the no confidence proceedings until after the weekend. "We strongly protest it," Sharif told a news conference on Friday said. NA Speaker continues to trample upon constitutional provisions. This partisan behaviour does not suit the custodian of the House. Adjournment of NA session is part of desperate efforts to disrupt no-confidence process. U cannot stop the inevitable through such underhand tactics! — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) March 25, 2022 × Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, leader of the rival Pakistan People's Party, described the speaker as acting like a "personal servant" of the prime minister. Addressing a press conference outside Parliament House shortly after the session was adjourned, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif warned that if the no-confidence motion was not allowed to move on Monday, then they would not be responsible for what would come next. "Asad Qaiser acted as a PTI worker instead of the National Assembly speaker, he said, adding that the opposition would resort to legal and constitutional protests if Qaiser tried to "act as a slave (of Khan)". He also called for the speaker to be tried under Article 6 of the Constitution, which deals with high treason. Also read | Witchcraft, theft, corruption: It's mud-slinging time in Pakistan "The no-trust motion is going to be our democratic weapon. We will move towards free and fair elections," Bilawal said, adding that the prime minister had lost "his majority and government". Reacting to Sharif's comments, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi demanded an apology from him for his tirade against the speaker. "The words you have used against Asad Qaiser are inappropriate and I want you to retract the remarks immediately," he said. Qureshi also refuted claims that the government was "running away" from the no-confidence motion. "We will deal with it in a democratic, political, and legal way." The political turmoil comes as Pakistan faces a recurring economic crisis, and Khan's government is banking on the International Monetary Fund to release the next tranche of a $6 billion rescue package to shore up dwindling foreign currency reserves. Khan, a former captain of Pakistan's national cricket team, came to power in 2018, after the leaders of the country's two mainstream parties were discredited by accusations of corruption. Political analysts say the country's powerful military had supported Khan's rise to power, and that the generals have now become disenchanted with his leadership. Khan has denied receiving backing from the military. (With inputs from agencies)

Pak opposition accuses PM Imran Khan of buying time to muster support after delay in no-confidence motion

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn.

They also questioned the meeting of Lt-Gen retired Asim Saleem Bajwa with the Chinese ambassador when the CPEC Authority had no chairman and the CPEC Authority`s ordinance had lapsed.

"Is [retired Lt Gen] Asim Saleem still receiving the salary of the chairman of CPEC Authority?" questioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad asked in what capacity was Bajwa working and meeting with the Chinese ambassador. Ahmad said Bajwa was a "controversial" figure and yet, he was made chairman of the CPEC Authority, adding that there were allegations of corruption against Bajwa.

He further said that "in the future, no such individual, who has allegations of corruption against them, should be appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority."Earlier, local media had exposed Bajwa`s several offshore businesses, including more than 100 companies and franchises in the US, UAE and Canada in which his families were involved.

In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promulgated an ordinance to establish a CPEC Authority ahead of his visit to China and had appointed Bajwa as its chairperson. While earlier, the Planning and Development Ministry used to oversee the CPEC projects.

China forced CPEC Authority on Pakistan because it wanted the army to be directly involved in the CPEC portfolio as Beijing was reportedly irked with Khan`s slow movement on the project.

The CPEC Authority ordinance by Imran Khan government gave immunity to the chairman and staff from all legal proceedings, in turn protecting them from National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and police to institute cases.

Earlier, Ahmad had also submitted written questions to the Minister for Planning Asad Umar These included "Whether it was true that the CPEC Authority was continuing to work despite the lapse of the CPEC Authority Ordinance?" and "What was the legal nature of the administrative and financial decisions taken by the authority so far?"Umar responded that the CPEC Authority Ordinance had lapsed in May 2020 and the CPEC Authority Bill was pending in the National Assembly.

He added that all administrative and financial decisions of the authority were being taken according to the rules and regulations of the related ministries, reported Dawn. Opposition members, in turn, walked out of Senate as they felt that the response of Umar was inadequate regarding CPEC Authority.

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn.

Opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate session on Friday over the Pakistan government`s "inadequate" response to their queries on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority ordinance, reported Dawn. They also questioned the meeting of Lt-Gen retired Asim Saleem Bajwa with the Chinese ambassador when the CPEC Authority had no chairman and the CPEC Authority`s ordinance had lapsed. "Is [retired Lt Gen] Asim Saleem still receiving the salary of the chairman of CPEC Authority?" questioned Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi. Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad asked in what capacity was Bajwa working and meeting with the Chinese ambassador. Ahmad said Bajwa was a "controversial" figure and yet, he was made chairman of the CPEC Authority, adding that there were allegations of corruption against Bajwa. He further said that "in the future, no such individual, who has allegations of corruption against them, should be appointed chairman of the CPEC Authority."Earlier, local media had exposed Bajwa`s several offshore businesses, including more than 100 companies and franchises in the US, UAE and Canada in which his families were involved. In 2019, Prime Minister Imran Khan had promulgated an ordinance to establish a CPEC Authority ahead of his visit to China and had appointed Bajwa as its chairperson. While earlier, the Planning and Development Ministry used to oversee the CPEC projects. China forced CPEC Authority on Pakistan because it wanted the army to be directly involved in the CPEC portfolio as Beijing was reportedly irked with Khan`s slow movement on the project. The CPEC Authority ordinance by Imran Khan government gave immunity to the chairman and staff from all legal proceedings, in turn protecting them from National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and police to institute cases. Earlier, Ahmad had also submitted written questions to the Minister for Planning Asad Umar These included "Whether it was true that the CPEC Authority was continuing to work despite the lapse of the CPEC Authority Ordinance?" and "What was the legal nature of the administrative and financial decisions taken by the authority so far?"Umar responded that the CPEC Authority Ordinance had lapsed in May 2020 and the CPEC Authority Bill was pending in the National Assembly. He added that all administrative and financial decisions of the authority were being taken according to the rules and regulations of the related ministries, reported Dawn. Opposition members, in turn, walked out of Senate as they felt that the response of Umar was inadequate regarding CPEC Authority.

Pak opposition walks out of Senate over 'inadequate' response on CPEC queries

An alliance of Pakistani opposition parties the PDM has reiterated its ultimatum to the Imran Khan-led government and said that the puppet regime has only 30 days to step down. The alliance, however, has decided to participate in the by-polls although they have deferred the decision on contesting the Senate elections to a later date.

Pakistan: PDM defers decision on Senate elections