NA speaker is biased from day one: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

• Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expresses frustration over delay in vote of no-confidence and claims speaker of national assembly is showing bias.
• Says that the vote is democratic and a constitutional right.
• Adds votes cannot be bought this time.

ISLAMABAD: PML-N leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that the right to bring about a no-confidence motion is democratic and a constitutional right of the Opposition and accused the National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser of being biased regarding the process. 

He also added that anyone who breaks the Constitution, regardless of whether it is the speaker of the National Assembly or the prime minister, will have to face Article 6 of the Constitution.

"The speaker was biased since day one, and is still showing his bias," the senior leader claimed.

Expressing his frustration over the delay in holding the session for the vote of no confidence, he said that this voting is neither like the one in the Senate nor in the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly Election where "votes can be bought with money", suggesting that the current government has bought votes in the past to stay in power.

Abbasi also added that people now want to leave the government's side and join the Opposition.

"The biggest example of money laundering is foreign funding, and the NAB (National Accountability Bureau) and the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency) both are silent on this matter," he said, suggesting that PTI's foreign funding case could potentially be an insight into the party's illegal activities.

Throwing shade on the recent resignation of PM's ex-adviser on accountability and interior leader Shahzad Akbar, Abbasi pleaded Imran Khan to tell where he is right now. A few months ago, Akbar stepped down from his office without giving a reason for his resignation.

Earlier today, the Opposition threatened Qaiser, saying that it will move against him if he did not follow the rules on Monday, aiming to prevent a delay of at least four days in the vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The threat came as a result of the Opposition's apprehension that the speaker would adjourn the first day of the requisitioned NA session tomorrow (March 21) after offering Fateha for deceased PTI MNA Haji Khayal Zaman.

Though it is not provided in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, adjourning the day's meeting after saying prayers for a departed lawmaker is a parliamentary tradition.