In another major blow to PTI, MQM-P decides to support Opposition's no-confidence motion

ISLAMABAD: In another major blow, the MQM-P has decided to desert the ruling PTI government and join hands with the joint Opposition to support their no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, Geo News reported on Wednesday.

Following the development, the government has lost the majority in the Lower House and the no-confidence motion against PM Imran Khan — on which the National Assembly is expected to vote on April 3 — will likely be successful.

With 177 members, the Opposition now has more numbers in the NA and they do not need the support of the disgruntled PTI MNAs. On the other hand, the government is left with the support of only 164 members of Parliament.

The MQM-P's decision to side with the Opposition came after both sides signed a draft prepared by Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab, sources told Geo News.

Leader of the Opposition in the NA Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, and PPP Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari have also signed the agreement, sources said.

As Fazl was leaving Parliament Lodges after the signing the draft, a journalist asked the PDM chief why the Opposition had not formally announced the development. At this, he said: "Some internal matters have to be resolved between the parties." 

Government

• PTI — 155
• PML-Q — 4
• GDA — 3
• AML — 1
• BAP — 1

Total: 164

Opposition

• PML-N — 84
• PPP — 56
• MMA —14
• BAP — 4
• BNP-M — 4
• Independent — 4
• ANP — 1
• JWP — 1
• JI — 1
• MQM-P — 7
• PML-Q — 1

Total: 177

MQM confirms development 

Taking to Twitter, MQM-P leader Faisal Subzwari wrote: "The agreement between the joint Opposition and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan has been finalised."

"After the ratification of the proposed agreement by the PPP CEC, MQM Pakistan Coordinating Committee, the details will be revealed before the media tomorrow at 4pm," he said.

In a statement, an MQM-P spokesperson also confirmed the party's Rabta Committee would meet at 2pm today at their Bahadurabad office where the draft would be presented for ratification.

'Congratulations Pakistan': Bilawal

Akin to this, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari confirmed on Twitter that the united Opposition and MQM have reached an agreement. 

"Rabta committee MQM & PPP CEC will ratify the said agreement. We will then share details with the media in a press conference tomorrow IA. Congratulations Pakistan," the PPP chairperson wrote.

PPP's Central Information Secretary Shazia Marri, taking a jibe at the government, tweeted: "#GameOverIK"

'United Opposition taken form of national jirga': Iqbal

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the united Opposition has taken the form of a "national jirga", in which all the democratic forces of the country are united on a single platform — especially every party in Balochistan.

'Middle-class parties do not make decisions': Gill

Reacting to the development and taking a swipe at MQM-P, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill said that the Opposition will be "unsuccessful" very soon.

"Middle-class parties do not make decisions in the middle of the night. Such work is done by the elite. But if you watch N-League TV, they are breathing a sigh of relief right now," he wrote.

Meanwhile, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan told the party supporters "ghabrana nahi hai [don't be scared]".

Two ministers expected to resign soon: sources

Sources have also said that Law Minister Farogh Naseem and IT Minister Amin-ul-Haque are expected to resign from their respective offices later today in line with the party decision.

Govt will adjust however MQM-P wants: Governor Imran Ismail

Later, a delegation of the PTI showed up at Parliament Lodges to have talks with the MQM-P. The PTI leaders expressed optimism, saying the latter responded in a good manner.

"Another meeting will take place today," Sindh Governor Imran Ismail told the media while going back from the Lodges. "No point regarding the MQM-P minister tendering resignation came under discussion."

Ismail said that he met MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool and tried to remove the reservations of his party by offering him a ministry. He said that the government is ready to offer more if the party demands. “Our doors are open for MQM-P, we will adjust however they want,” said the governor.

He said that the MQM-P will discuss the matter with its committee, adding that “he hopes that the party will make a just decision.”

Calling the alliance between the MQM-P and the PPP “unnatural”, the governor said: “If the MQM-P wants to form an alliance with [the] latter, it is their wish. But, the PPP has always betrayed the MQM-P."

Ismail said he did not know about the agreement between the MQM-P and the Opposition. "I saw [MQM-P leader] Faisal Subzwari's tweet about their agreement with the Opposition," he added.

"But I have not seen the agreement nor do I know its details."

"What they [the combined Opposition] want is to save their previous theft and move on to do some more," he said. "The MQM-P's response was good. They will meet today," he added.

Upon being asked by the MQM-P regarding his resignation, Ismail said: “I will do anything for the prime minister.”